bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Event related potential analysis techniques for autism spectrum disorders: A review
Authors: Sheela Priyalakshmi , Puthankattil Subha D.
Published: May 2018

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) comprise all pervasive neurodevelopmental diseases marked by deficits in social and communication skills, delayed cognitive development, restricted and repetitive behaviors. The core symptoms begin in early childhood, may continue life‐long resulting in poor performance in adult stage. Event‐related potential (ERP) is basically a time‐locked electroencephalogram signal elicited by various stimuli, related to sensory and cognitive processes. The various ERP based techniques used for the study of ASD are considered in this review. ERP based study offers the advantage of being a non‐invasive technique to measure the brain activity precisely. The techniques are categorized into three based on the processing domain: time, frequency and time‐frequency. Power spectral density, coherence, phase synchrony, multiscale entropy, modified multiscale entropy, sum of signed differences, synchrostates and variance are some of the measures that have been widely used to study the abnormalities in frequency bands and brain connectivity. Various signal processing techniques such as Fast Fourier Transform, Discrete Fourier Transform, Short‐Time Fourier Transform, Principal Component Analysis, Wavelet Transform, Directed Transfer Function etc. have been used to analyze the recorded signals so as to unravel the distinctive event‐related potential patterns in individuals with ASD. The review concludes that ERP proves to be an efficient tool in detecting the brain abnormalities and connectivity issues, indicating the heterogeneity of ASD. Many advanced techniques are utilized to decipher the underlying neural circuitry so as to aid in therapeutic interventions for improving the core areas of deficits.
Peripheral complement interactions with amyloid β peptide in Alzheimer's disease: Polymorphisms, structure, and function of complement receptor 1
Authors: Johansson Jenny U. , Brubaker William D. , Javitz Harold , Bergen Andrew W. , Nishita Denise , Trigunaite Abhishek , Crane Andrés , Ceballos Justine , Mastroeni Diego , Tenner Andrea J. , Sabbagh Marwan , Rogers Joseph
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Genome‐wide association studies consistently show that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the complement receptor 1 (CR1) gene modestly but significantly alter Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. Follow‐up research has assumed that CR1 is expressed in the human brain despite a paucity of evidence for its function there. Alternatively, erythrocytes contain >80% of the body's CR1, where, in primates, it is known to bind circulating pathogens.

Methods

Multidisciplinary methods were employed.

Results

Conventional Western blots and quantitative polymerase chain reaction failed to detect CR1 in the human brain. Brain immunohistochemistry revealed only vascular CR1. By contrast, erythrocyte CR1 immunoreactivity was readily observed and was significantly deficient in AD, as was CR1‐mediated erythrocyte capture of circulating amyloid β peptide. CR1 SNPs associated with decreased erythrocyte CR1 increased AD risk, whereas a CR1 SNP associated with increased erythrocyte CR1 decreased AD risk.

Discussion

SNP effects on erythrocyte CR1 likely underlie the association of CR1 polymorphisms with AD risk.
Effect of Alzheimer's disease risk and protective factors on cognitive trajectories in subjective memory complainers: An INSIGHT‐preAD study
Authors: Teipel Stefan J. , Cavedo Enrica , Lista Simone , Habert Marie‐Odile , Potier Marie‐Claude , Grothe Michel J. , Epelbaum Stephane , Sambati Luisa , Gagliardi Geoffroy , Toschi Nicola , Greicius Michael D. , Dubois Bruno , Hampel Harald ,   for the INSIGHT‐preAD study group,   Alzheimer Precision Medicine Initiative (APMI)
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Cognitive change in people at risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) such as subjective memory complainers is highly variable across individuals.

Methods

We used latent class growth modeling to identify distinct classes of nonlinear trajectories of cognitive change over 2 years follow‐up from 265 subjective memory complainers individuals (age 70 years and older) of the INSIGHT‐preAD cohort. We determined the effect of cortical amyloid load, hippocampus and basal forebrain volumes, and education on the cognitive trajectory classes.

Results

Latent class growth modeling identified distinct nonlinear cognitive trajectories. Education was associated with higher performing trajectories, whereas global amyloid load and basal forebrain atrophy were associated with lower performing trajectories.

Discussion

Distinct classes of cognitive trajectories were associated with risk and protective factors of AD. These associations support the notion that the identified cognitive trajectories reflect different risk for AD that may be useful for selecting high‐risk individuals for intervention trials.
K-6 Pre-Service Teachers’ Emerging Professional Identities as Social Studies Educators
Authors: Hubbard Janie
Published: May 2018

It is vital that social studies be an integral part of the elementary (Kindergarten-6) curriculum to prepare all children to participate in increasingly diverse democracies. This study's purpose was to investigate how nine planned and implemented social studies professional development activities, outside traditional classrooms, could impact five volunteer K-6 pre-service teachers’ beliefs about their emergent professional identities as social studies educators. This case study explored research questions primarily through qualitative methods. Research implications contribute to possible solutions for (1) helping pre-service teachers understand how professional educators, outside their local areas, create and learn public scholarship to educate diverse democracies, (2) helping pre-service teachers recognize relationships between high quality professional development, networking, organization membership, and professional identity, and (3) sense of belonging as one treatment for U.S. novice teacher attrition rates.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MARITAL STATUS AND HYPERTENSION IN GHANA
Authors: Tuoyire Derek Anamaale , Ayetey Harold
Published: May 2018

Hypertension is a significant contributor to the global burden of cardiovascular and related target organ diseases such as heart failure, coronary heart disease, stroke and kidney failure, and their associated premature morbidity, mortality and disability. Marital status is an important social characteristic known to predict a range of health outcomes including cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about its impact on hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa. This study explored the relationship between marital status and hypertension among women and men in Ghana. Drawing on data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression models were used to analyse the link between marital status and hypertension. About 13% of women aged 15–49 and 15% of men aged 15–59 were found to be hypertensive. After controlling for lifestyle and socio-demographic covariates, the logistic regression models showed significantly higher odds of hypertension for married (OR=2.14, 95% CI=1.30–3.53), cohabiting (OR=1.94, 95% CI=1.16–3.23) and previously married (OR=2.23, 95% CI=1.29–3.84) women. In contrast, no significant association was found between any of the marital status cohorts and hypertension for men. Other significant predictors of hypertension were age, body mass index and wealth status. The results demonstrate that marital status is an independent risk factor for hypertension in Ghana for women, rather than men. This could have immediate and far-reaching consequences for cardiovascular health policy in Ghana. In particular, the findings could lead to better targeted public health interventions, including more effective risk factor assessment and patient education in clinical settings, which could lead to more effective patient management and improved cardiovascular outcomes.
Comparison of the Ionosphere During an SMC Initiating Substorm and an Isolated Substorm
Authors: DeJong A. D. , Bell J. M. , Ridley A.
Published: May 2018

In order to assess the effects of ionospheric feedback on different modes of energy transport in the magnetosphere, we investigate an isolated substorm and a steady magnetospheric convection (SMC) event with very similar solar wind drivers. The primary focus is on a comparison between the isolated substorm and the substorm that initiates the SMC. Auroral data from Polar UVI LBHl and LBHs, along with assimilative mapping of the ionosphere electrojet potential patterns are used as inputs to the global ionosphere‐thermosphere model to calculate conductances and Joule heating rates. Results from this study show that the conductances both before and during the events play a large role the ability of the magnetosphere to remain in steady driven state. The substorm that initiates the SMC event shows very different signatures in the ionosphere than isolated substorm; these signatures indicate that there is very weak substorm current wedge, or possibly a pseudo‐breakup.
Fossil Fuel Combustion Emission From South Asia Influences Precipitation Dissolved Organic Carbon Reaching the Remote Tibetan Plateau: Isotopic and Molecular Evidence
Authors: Li Chaoliu , Chen Pengfei , Kang Shichang , Yan Fangping , Tripathee Lekhendra , Wu Guangjian , Qu Bin , Sillanpää Mika , Yang Di , Dittmar Thorsten , Stubbins Aron , Raymond Peter A.
Published: May 2018

The dissolved organic carbon in precipitation (water‐soluble organic carbon, WSOC) can provide a carbon subsidy to receiving ecosystems. The concentrations, isotopic signatures (δ13C/Δ14C), and molecular signatures (transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometry) of WSOC being delivered to Nam Co—a remote site on the inland Tibetan Plateau (TP)—were compared to those of WSOC in the snowpack, and in wet deposition from urban cities fringing the TP. The average WSOC concentration at Nam Co (1.0 ± 0.9 mg C L−1) was lower than for the large cities (1.6 to 2.3 mg C L−1) but higher than in the snowpack samples (0.26 ± 0.09 mg C L−1). Based upon radiocarbon data, it is estimated that 15 ± 6% of Nam Co WSOC was fossil derived, increasing to 20 ± 8% for snowpack WSOC, 29 ± 4% for Lhasa WSOC, and 34 ± 8% for the three cities. Transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometry results revealed that the abundance of dissolved black carbon and sulfur‐containing molecules of WSOC increased in the order Nam Co < snow pack < urban. The enrichment in 14C and depletion in dissolved black carbon and sulfurous organic molecules of Nam Co WSOC was suggestive of low, but still detectable inputs of fossil‐derived organics to WSOC on the remote TP. Backward air mass trajectories for the precipitation events at Nam Co suggested that the fossil fuel contributions to WSOC in Nam Co region originated mainly from South Asia. This study provides novel radiocarbon age, chemistry, and source evidence that anthropogenic WSOC is delivered to the remote TP, one of the most remote regions on Earth.
Spatiotemporal Changes in Extreme Temperature and Precipitation Events in the Three‐Rivers Headwater Region, China
Authors: Xi Yang , Miao Chiyuan , Wu Jingwen , Duan Qingyun , Lei Xiaohui , Li Hu
Published: May 2018

Extreme climate events affect sustainable development in many parts of the world. Although several studies of local extreme climate events exist, such events need more thorough investigation. Detailed studies of climatic variations that assess changes on both spatial and temporal scales are becoming increasingly necessary. In this study, 14 indices for extreme temperature and 12 indices for extreme precipitation were used to analyze the spatial distribution and temporal trends of extreme climate events in the three‐rivers headwater region (TRHR), China, over the past five decades. We found that the frequency of high temperature extremes has increased, whereas the frequency of dry extremes has decreased. Statistically significant upward trends emerged for the number of warm nights (TN90p) and the number of warm days (TX90p) in the TRHR, which increased at a rate of 11.75 and 6.79 days/10 years (p < 0.05), respectively. We also found a highly significant downward trend in the number of consecutive dry days with a rate of −4.05 days/10 years across the whole region. Overall, the TRHR has become warmer and wetter over the past 50 years and the frequency of extreme events has increased. Wavelet analysis indicated that there are significant relationships between extreme climate events in the TRHR and large‐scale ocean‐atmosphere circulation patterns, for example, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. Our findings will help local water managers and stakeholders ensure that there are effective measures in place to adapt to and mitigate the effects of potential future climate change in the TRHR.
MAVEN/IUVS Stellar Occultation Measurements of Mars Atmospheric Structure and Composition
Authors: Gröller H. , Montmessin F. , Yelle R. V. , Lefèvre F. , Forget F. , Schneider N. M. , Koskinen T. T. , Deighan J. , Jain S. K.
Published: May 2018

The Imaging UltraViolet Spectrograph (IUVS) instrument of the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission has acquired data on Mars for more than one Martian year. During this time, beginning with March 2015, hundreds of stellar occultations have been observed, in 12 dedicated occultation campaigns, executed on average every 2 to 3 months. The occultations cover the latitudes from 80°S to 75°N and the full range longitude and local times with relatively sparse sampling. From these measurements we retrieve CO2, O2, and O3 number densities as well as temperature profiles in the altitude range from 20 to 160 km, covering 8 orders of magnitude in pressure from ∼2 × 101 to ∼4 × 10−7 Pa. These data constrain the composition and thermal structure of the atmosphere. The O2 mixing ratios retrieved during this study show a high variability from 1.5 × 10−3 to 6 × 10−3; however, the mean value seems to be constant with solar longitude. We detect ozone between 20 and 60 km. In many profiles there is a well‐defined peak between 30 and 40 km with a maximum density of 1–2 ×109 cm−3. Examination of the vertical temperature profiles reveals substantial disagreement with models, with observed temperatures both warmer and colder than predicted. Examination of the altitude profiles of density perturbations and their variation with longitude shows structured atmospheric perturbations at altitudes above 100 km that are likely nonmigrating tides. These perturbations are dominated by zonal wave numbers 2 and 3 with amplitudes greater than 45%.
What Shaped the Northern Apennine Deformation Front?
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: May 2018

An integrated interpretation of well and seismic reflection data from Italy’s Po Valley shows the range’s undulations are controlled by the slope and composition of two major gliding horizons.
The Significance of Giant Phaeodarians (Rhizaria) to Biogenic Silica Export in the California Current Ecosystem
Authors: Biard Tristan , Krause Jeffrey W. , Stukel Michael R. , Ohman Mark D.
Published: May 2018

In marine ecosystems, many planktonic organisms precipitate biogenic silica (bSiO2) to build silicified skeletons. Among them, giant siliceous rhizarians (>500 μm), including Radiolaria and Phaeodaria, are important contributors to oceanic carbon pools but little is known about their contribution to the marine silica cycle. We report the first analyses of giant phaeodarians to bSiO2 export in the California Current Ecosystem. We measured the silica content of single rhizarian cells ranging in size from 470 to 3,920 μm and developed allometric equations to predict silica content (0.37–43.42 μg Si/cell) from morphometric measurements. Using sediment traps to measure phaeodarian fluxes from the euphotic zone on four cruises, we calculated bSiO2 export produced by two families, the Aulosphaeridae and Castanellidae. Biogenic silica export ranged from <0.01 to 0.63 mmol Si · m−2 · day−1. These two families alone contributed on average 10% (range 0–80%) of total bSiO2 export from the euphotic zone. Their proportional contributions increased substantially in more oligotrophic regions with lower bSiO2 fluxes. Using the in situ Underwater Vision Profiler 5, we characterized vertical distributions of the giant phaeodarian family Aulosphaeridae to a depth of 500 m and inferred their contribution to bSiO2 export in deeper waters. We found a significant increase of Aulosphaeridae export (<0.01 to 2.82 mmol Si · m−2 · day−1) when extended to mesopelagic depths. Using a global data set of in situ profiles, we estimated the significance of Aulosphaeridae to bSiO2 export and revealed that they can act as major exporters of bSiO2 to the mesopelagic zone in various regions.
Electron Nonlinear Resonant Interaction With Short and Intense Parallel Chorus Wave Packets
Authors: Mourenas D. , Zhang X.‐J. , Artemyev A. V. , Angelopoulos V. , Thorne R. M. , Bortnik J. , Neishtadt A. I. , Vasiliev A. A.
Published: May 2018

One of the major drivers of radiation belt dynamics, electron resonant interaction with whistler‐mode chorus waves, is traditionally described using the quasi‐linear diffusion approximation. Such a description satisfactorily explains many observed phenomena, but its applicability can be justified only for sufficiently low intensity, long duration waves. Recent spacecraft observations of a large number of very intense lower‐band chorus waves (with magnetic field amplitudes sometimes reaching ∼1% of the background) therefore challenge this traditional description and call for an alternative approach when addressing the global, long‐term effects of the nonlinear interaction of these waves with radiation belt electrons. In this paper, we first use observations from the Van Allen Probes and Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms spacecraft to show that the majority of intense parallel chorus waves consist of relatively short wave packets. Then, we construct a kinetic equation describing the nonlinear resonant interaction of radiation belt electrons with such short and intense wave packets. We demonstrate that this peculiar type of nonlinear interaction produces similar effects as quasi‐linear diffusion, that is, a flattening of the electron velocity distribution function within a certain energy/pitch angle range. The main difference is the much faster evolution of the electron distribution when nonlinear interaction prevails.
Explicit IMF By Dependence in High‐Latitude Geomagnetic Activity
Authors: Holappa L. , Mursula K.
Published: May 2018

The interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetic field produces geomagnetic activity, which is critically dependent on the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Most solar wind coupling functions quantify this dependence on the IMF orientation with the so‐called IMF clock angle in a way, which is symmetric with respect to the sign of the By component. However, recent studies have suggested that the sign of By is an additional, independent driver of high‐latitude geomagnetic activity, leading to higher (weaker) geomagnetic activity in Northern Hemisphere (NH) winter for By > 0 (By<0). In this paper we quantify the size of this explicit By effect with respect to the solar wind coupling function, both for northern and southern high‐latitude geomagnetic activity. We show that high‐latitude geomagnetic activity is significantly (by about 40%–50%) suppressed for By < 0 in NH winter and for By > 0 in Southern Hemisphere winter. When averaged over all months, high‐latitude geomagnetic activity in NH is about 12% weaker for By < 0 than for By > 0. The By effect affects the westward electrojet strongly, but hardly at all the eastward electrojet. We also show that the suppression of the westward electrojet in NH during By < 0 maximizes when the Earth's dipole axis points toward the night sector, that is, when the auroral region is maximally in darkness.
Mapping the Basement of the Ebro Basin in Spain With Seismic Ambient Noise Autocorrelations
Authors: Romero Paula , Schimmel Martin
Published: May 2018

Single‐station autocorrelations of seismic ambient noise allow to obtain the shallow subsurface reflection response without the need of any active source or earthquake. Recently, crustal‐scale studies successfully applied this method to map the crust‐mantle boundary. These studies employed different processing methodologies to stabilize and identify the weak‐amplitude reflections. Here we also analyze noise autocorrelations but use higher‐frequency bands to map the basement of the Ebro Basin in Spain. This basin has a nonuniform basement structure due to its complex evolution. We tested two autocorrelation methods (the classical and phase cross correlation) to retrieve the P wave reflection response for seismic broadband stations located in the basin. The phase correlation approach is amplitude unbiased since based on the instantaneous phase coherence of analytic signals. It is insensitive to the background seismicity from the Pyrenees and other noise and proved to be the more efficient approach to retrieve P wave reflections from the Paleozoic basement. The detected signals per station are quite stable and show only a small time variability. We also show that sidelobes caused by the convolution of a delta pulse at zero time lag with the effective noise source time function do not affect our measurements and compare the measured noise autocorrelations with synthetic data for lithological profiles from neighboring wells. The a priori information from well data was essential to identify the signals and to finally map the discontinuity in between and beyond the well positions. Our final result is a comprehensive map of the Paleozoic basement in the Ebro Basin.
Generalized Additive Models of Climatic and Metabolic Controls of Subannual Variation in pCO2 in Productive Hardwater Lakes
Authors: Wiik E. , Haig H. A. , Hayes N. M. , Finlay K. , Simpson G. L. , Vogt R. J. , Leavitt P. R.
Published: May 2018

Spatiotemporal variation in climate and weather, allochthonous carbon loads, and autochthonous factors such as lake metabolism (photosynthesis and respiration) interacts to regulate atmospheric CO2 exchange of lakes. Understanding this interplay in diverse basin types at different timescales is required to adequately place lakes into the global carbon cycle and predict CO2 flux through space and time. We analyzed 18 years of data from seven moderately hard lakes in an agricultural prairie landscape in central Canada. We applied generalized additive models and sensitivity analyses to evaluate the roles of metabolic and climatic drivers in regulating CO2 flux at the intra‐annual scale. At mean conditions with respect to other predictors, metabolic controls resulted in uptake of atmospheric CO2 when surface waters exhibited moderate primary production but released CO2 only when primary production was very low (<8 μg/L or when dissolved nitrogen was elevated (>2,000 μg/L), implying that respiratory controls offset photosynthetic CO2 uptake under these conditions. Climatically, dry conditions increased the likelihood of in‐gassing, likely due to evaporative concentration of base cations and/or reduced allochthonous carbon loads. While more research is required to establish the relative importance of climate and metabolism at other timescales (diel, autumn/winter), we conclude that these hard fresh waters characteristic of continental interiors are mainly affected by metabolic drivers of pCO2 at daily‐monthly timescales, are climatically controlled at interannual intervals, and are more likely to in‐gas CO2 for a given level of algal abundance than are soft water, boreal ecosystems.
Corneal biomechanical properties are associated with the activity and prognosis of Angioid Streaks
Authors: Asano Shotaro , Nakajima Kosuke , Kure Kana , Azuma Keiko , Shimizu Kimiko , Murata Hiroshi , Inoue Tatsuya , Obata Ryo , Asaoka Ryo
Published: May 2018

The aim of the current study is to investigate corneal biomechanical properties in detail using Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) and Corvis ST (CST) tonometry and to analyze the association between corneal biomechanical properties and the frequency of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections (FIV) in AS eyes with choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Twenty-eight eyes of 15 patients with AS were enrolled. Mean age of AS patients was 67.9 ± 9.8 years. ORA and CST measurements were carried out, in addition to comprehensive ophthalmic examinations. LogMAR visual acuity (VA) and ΔVA (the change of VA from baseline to the final visit) were calculated in each eye. Also, the relationships between FIV, and the variables of initial age at the observation period, axial length, and corneal biomechanical properties were investigated in eyes with AS using linear mixed model with model selection using AICc. In 28 AS eyes, 16 eyes underwent intravitreal anti-VEGF injections during follow-up period. Lower corneal hysteresis (CH), higher corneal resistant factor (CRF) and higher CST measured the DA ratio were associated with the increase of FIV in AS eyes (p = 0.01, p = 0.002, p = 0.027, respectively), suggesting the usefulness for monitoring of corneal biomechanical properties.
Penetrating cations induce pleiotropic drug resistance in yeast
Authors: Galkina Kseniia V. , Besedina Elizaveta G. , Zinovkin Roman A. , Severin Fedor F. , Knorre Dmitry A.
Published: May 2018

Substrates of pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) transporters can induce the expression of corresponding transporter genes by binding to their transcription factors. Penetrating cations are substrates of PDR transporters and theoretically may also activate the expression of transporter genes. However, the accumulation of penetrating cations inside mitochondria may prevent the sensing of these molecules. Thus, whether penetrating cations induce PDR is unclear. Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model, we studied the effects of penetrating cations on the activation of PDR. We found that the lipophilic cation dodecyltriphenylphosphonium (C12TPP) induced the expression of the plasma membrane PDR transporter genes PDR5, SNQ2 and YOR1. Moreover, a 1-hour incubation with C12TPP increased the concentration of Pdr5p and Snq2p and prevented the accumulation of the PDR transporter substrate Nile red. The transcription factor PDR1 was required to mediate these effects, while PDR3 was dispensable. The deletion of the YAP1 or RTG2 genes encoding components of the mitochondria-to-nucleus signalling pathway did not prevent the C12TPP-induced increase in Pdr5-GFP. Taken together, our data suggest (i) that the sequestration of lipophilic cations inside mitochondria does not significantly inhibit sensing by PDR activators and (ii) that the activation mechanisms do not require mitochondria as a signalling module.
Effects of Decade Long Freezing Storage on Adipose Derived Stem Cells Functionality
Authors: Shaik Shahensha , Wu Xiying , Gimble Jeffrey , Devireddy Ram
Published: May 2018

Over the last decade and half, the optimization of cryopreservation for adipose tissue derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) especially in determining the optimal combination of cryoprotectant type, cooling rate, and thawing rate have been extensively studied. In this study, we examined the functionality of ASCs that have been frozen-stored for more than 10 years denoted as long-term freezing, frozen within the last 3 to 7 years denoted as short-term freezing and compared their response with fresh ASCs. The mean post-thaw viability for long-term frozen group was 78% whereas for short-term frozen group 79% with no significant differences between the two groups. The flow cytometry evaluation of stromal surface markers, CD29, CD90, CD105, CD44, and CD73 indicated the expression (above 95%) in passages P1-P4 in all of the frozen-thawed ASC groups and fresh ASCs whereas the hematopoietic markers CD31, CD34, CD45, and CD146 were expressed extremely low (below 2%) within both the frozen-thawed and fresh cell groups. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis revealed some differences between the osteogenic gene expression of long-term frozen group in comparison to fresh ASCs. Intriguingly, one group of cells from the short-term frozen group exhibited remarkably higher expression of osteogenic genes in comparison to fresh ASCs. The adipogenic differentiation potential remained virtually unchanged between all of the frozen-thawed groups and the fresh ASCs. Long-term cryopreservation of ASCs, in general, has a somewhat negative impact on the osteogenic potential of ASCs, especially as it relates to the decrease in osteopontin gene expression but not significantly so with respect to RUNX2 and osteonectin gene expressions. However, the adipogenic potential, post thaw viability, and immunophenotype characteristics remain relatively intact between all the groups.
Effect of multiple cyclic RGD peptides on tumor accumulation and intratumoral distribution of IRDye 700DX-conjugated polymers
Authors: Dou Xuebo , Nomoto Takahiro , Takemoto Hiroyasu , Matsui Makoto , Tomoda Keishiro , Nishiyama Nobuhiro
Published: May 2018

Strategic delivery of IRDye 700DX (photosensitizer) is a key for improving its effect in photodynamic therapy. In this study, we have synthesized IRDye 700DX-conjugated polymers containing multiple cyclic RGD peptides to deliver IRDye 700DX selectively to tumor cells and tumor-associated blood vessels overexpressing αvβ3 integrin. Our polymer has a backbone of hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(L-glutamic acid) block copolymer, and cyclic RGD peptides are conjugated to side chains of the poly(L-glutamic acid) while IRDye 700DX is conjugated to the terminal of poly(ethylene glycol). The polymers exhibited selective accumulation to the target sites in a subcutaneous solid tumor, and the accumulation was augmented with the increased number of cyclic RGD peptides. More importantly, the polymer containing 15 cyclic RGD peptides in one construct revealed preferential accumulation on the tumor-associated blood vessels without compromising penetration to deep portions of the tumor, thereby drastically inhibiting tumor growth upon photoirradiation, while the polymer containing 5 cyclic RGD peptides showed moderate antitumor activity despite efficient accumulation in the tumor with almost homogenous intratumoral distribution. These results suggest that controlling the intratumoral distribution of IRDye 700DX is critical for successful PDT, and our polymer containing multiple cyclic RGD peptides may be a promising carrier for this spatial control.
Real-time observation of dissipative soliton formation in nonlinear polarization rotation mode-locked fibre lasers
Authors: Peng Junsong , Sorokina Mariia , Sugavanam Srikanth , Tarasov Nikita , Churkin Dmitry V. , Turitsyn Sergei K. , Zeng Heping
Published: May 2018

Formation of coherent structures and patterns from unstable uniform state or noise is a fundamental physical phenomenon that occurs in various areas of science ranging from biology to astrophysics. Understanding of the underlying mechanisms of such processes can both improve our general interdisciplinary knowledge about complex nonlinear systems and lead to new practical engineering techniques. Modern optics with its high precision measurements offers excellent test-beds for studying complex nonlinear dynamics, though capturing transient rapid formation of optical solitons is technically challenging. Here we unveil the build-up of dissipative soliton in mode-locked fibre lasers using dispersive Fourier transform to measure spectral dynamics and employing autocorrelation analysis to investigate temporal evolution. Numerical simulations corroborate experimental observations, and indicate an underlying universality in the pulse formation. Statistical analysis identifies correlations and dependencies during the build-up phase. Our study may open up possibilities for real-time observation of various nonlinear structures in photonic systems.
Polydisperse emulsion digital assay to enhance time to detection and extend dynamic range in bacterial cultures enabled by a statistical framework
Authors: Byrnes Samantha A. , Phillips Elizabeth A. , Huynh Toan , Weigl Bernhard H. , Nichols Kevin P.
Published: May 2018

We have developed a simple method for preparing small-volume droplets for performing digital culture, allowing for the detection of bacteria.
Conversion of methanol to propylene over hierarchical HZSM-5: the effect of Al spatial distribution
Authors: Li Jianwen , Ma Hongfang , Chen Yan , Xu Zhiqiang , Li Chunzhong , Ying Weiyong
Published: May 2018

Different silicon sources led to distinct hierarchical structures on desilicated HZSM-5, affecting the catalytic performance of zeolites.
Nucleophilic addition of tertiary propargylic amines to arynes followed by a [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement
Authors: Zhou Meng-Guang , Dai Rui-Han , Tian Shi-Kai
Published: May 2018

Treatment of tertiary propargylic amines with 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates under mild conditions provides convenient access to amino-substituted allenes or conjugated dienes.
Gold-catalyzed [5+2] cycloaddition of quinolinium zwitterions and allenamides as an efficient route to fused 1,4-diazepines
Authors: De Nirupam , Song Choong Eui , Ryu Do Hyun , Yoo Eun Jeong
Published: May 2018

Herein, we demonstrate a new catalytic cycloaddition of quinolinium zwitterions involving a gold-bound allylic cation intermediate.
Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of β-branched enamides for the synthesis of β-stereogenic amines
Authors: Zhang Jian , Liu Chong , Wang Xingguang , Chen Jianzhong , Zhang Zhenfeng , Zhang Wanbin
Published: May 2018

β-Branched simple enamides were hydrogenated to give β-stereogenic amines in quantitative yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.
Sulfamoyl nitrenes: singlet or triplet ground state?
Authors: Lu Yan , Li Hongmin , Abe Manabu , Bégué Didier , Wan Huabin , Deng Guohai , Xu Jian , Liu Kun , Zeng Xiaoqing
Published: May 2018

Two prototypical sulfamoyl nitrenes R2NS(O)2–N (R = H and Me) in the triplet state were generated via the closed-shell singlet state by passing a low-energy minimum energy crossing point (MECP).
Controllable oligomerization: defying step-growth kinetics in the polymerization of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Cheng Xuejun , Zhao Gui , Lu Yan , Yan Miao , Wang Hong , Chen Hongyu
Published: May 2018

We report a new method for one-step dimerization of AuNP@PSPAA, which defies the step-growth kinetics and gives a record yield.
Polyoxometalate LUMO engineering: a strategy for visible-light-responsive aerobic oxygenation photocatalysts
Authors: Li Chifeng , Suzuki Kosuke , Mizuno Noritaka , Yamaguchi Kazuya
Published: May 2018

We report efficient visible-light-responsive oxygenation photocatalysis via the strategy of LUMO engineering of polyoxometalates.
Uniaxial magnetic anisotropy energy of bimetallic Co–Ni clusters from a first-principles perspective
Authors: Mejía-López J. , Mejía-López Ana , Mazo-Zuluaga J.
Published: May 2018

New information regarding the magnetic anisotropy and physical–chemical behavior of CoNi nanoclusters makes them promising for magnetic-storage, molecular-magnetism or quantum-computation.
Shape transition of water-in-CO2 reverse micelles controlled by the surfactant midpiece
Authors: Wang Muhan , Wang Junfeng , Fang Timing , Yan Youguo , Wang Zhiyuan , Zhang Jun
Published: May 2018

Designing CO2-philic surfactants for generating wormlike reverse micelles (RMs) is an effective approach to enhance the viscosity of supercritical CO2 (scCO2), however this remains challenging.
Lysine-based amino-functionalized lipids for gene transfection: 3D phase behaviour and transfection performance
Authors: Tassler Stephanie , Pawlowska Dorota , Janich Christopher , Giselbrecht Julia , Drescher Simon , Langner Andreas , Wölk Christian , Brezesinski Gerald
Published: May 2018

New cationic lipids designed for non-viral gene transfection form lamellar and non-lamellar mesophases in aqueous dispersions. The lipid mixtures with DNA show a panoply of mesophases. Surprisingly, the lamellar lipoplex with OO10 has the best transfection performance in different cell lines.
Bioinspired synthesis of SiO2/pDA-based nanocomposite-imprinted membranes with sol–gel imprinted layers for selective adsorption and separation applications
Authors: Wu Yilin , Lu Jian , Lin Xinyu , Gao Jia , Chen Li , Lv Peng , Liu Xinlin , Meng Minjia , Li Chunxiang , Yan Yongsheng
Published: May 2018

Highly selective and structurally stable SiO2/pDA-based nanocomposite-imprinted membranes for selective separation of TC molecules.
The cycle of nitrogen in river systems: sources, transformation, and flux
Authors: Xia Xinghui , Zhang Sibo , Li Siling , Zhang Liwei , Wang Gongqin , Zhang Ling , Wang Junfeng , Li Zhihuang
Published: May 2018

Suspended particle–water and sediment–water interfaces, where oxic and suboxic microenvironments coexist, are the hotspots of nitrogen transformation in river systems.
Emerging investigators series: prospects and challenges for high-pressure reverse osmosis in minimizing concentrated waste streams
Authors: Schantz A. Benjamin , Xiong Boya , Dees Elizabeth , Moore David R. , Yang Xuejing , Kumar Manish
Published: May 2018

If challenges such as mechanical stability, scaling, biofouling and concentration polarization at high pressures are addressed, high-pressure RO could be used to efficiently remove water from high-salinity waste brines as part of a zero-liquid-discharge disposal process.
Copper-mediated sulfonylation of aryl iodides and bromides with arylsulfonyl hydrazides in PEG-400
Authors: Wu Xiangmei , Wang Yan
Published: May 2018

Sulfonylation using aryl iodides or bromides and arylsulfonyl hydrazides mediated by cupric acetate with polyethylene glycol (PEG-400) as an eco-friendly medium was successfully achieved.
Synthesis and thermal behavior of a fused, tricyclic pyridine-based energetic material: 4-amino-5-nitro-[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-e]tetra-zolo[1,5-a]pyridine-3-oxide
Authors: Ma Congming , Pan Yong , Jiang Juncheng , Liu Zuliang , Yao Qizheng
Published: May 2018

Combination of nitro, amino, tetrazole, and furoxano with pyridine gave a novel fused, tricyclic energetic material with good detonation properties.
Thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy blends with a dicyanate ester containing a quinoline moiety
Authors: Sakthidharan C. P. , Sundararajan Pudupadi R. , Sarojadevi Muthusamy
Published: May 2018

Dicyanate esters (CEs) with a quinoline moiety were synthesized by treating bisphenols with cyanogen bromide in the presence of triethylamine and the structures were confirmed by FT-IR, and NMR spectral studies.
Theoretical modeling of tip-enhanced resonance Raman images of switchable azobenzene molecules on Au(111)
Authors: Xie Zhen , Duan Sai , Tian Guangjun , Wang Chuan-Kui , Luo Yi
Published: May 2018

Tip-enhanced resonance Raman images provide an optical means to identifyin situ“on” and “off” states for switchable molecules.
Hollow SnO2 nanospheres with oxygen vacancies entrapped by a N-doped graphene network as robust anode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wu Naiteng , Du Wuzhou , Gao Xu , Zhao Liang , Liu Guilong , Liu Xianming , Wu Hao , He Yan-Bing
Published: May 2018

Hollow SnO2 nanospheres with oxygen vacancies simultaneously wrapped by a nitrogen-doped graphene network (SnO2−x/N-rGO) improve the electrochemical performance of LIBs.
Atomic-scale etching of hexagonal boron nitride for device integration based on two-dimensional materials
Authors: Park Hamin , Shin Gwang Hyuk , Lee Khang June , Choi Sung-Yool
Published: May 2018

We propose the atomic-scale etching of h-BN achieving an etching rate less than 1 nm min−1 for device integration based on 2D materials.
A water-soluble, upconverting Sr2Yb0.3Gd0.7F7:Er3+/Tm3+@PSIoAmbio-probe forin vivotrimodality imaging
Authors: Xiang Li-Jun , Zhu Xiao-Jiao , Zhang Hui-Hui , Yang Li , Deng Ke-Xue , Liu Ying , Ye Ming-Shan , Hu Long , Yang Xing-Yuan , Zhou Hong-Ping
Published: May 2018

A water-soluble upconverting PSIoAm-modified Sr2Yb0.3Gd0.7F7:Er3+/Tm3+bio-probe could not only distinguish the four types of cancer cells and normal cells tested, but could also realizein vivotrimodality imaging.
Highly efficient soluble expression, purification and characterization of recombinant Aβ42 fromEscherichia coli
Authors: Jia Longgang , Wang Wenjuan , Shang Jinzhao , Zhao Wenping , Wei Wei , Wang Ying , Li Li , Lu Fuping , Liu Fufeng
Published: May 2018

A novel high-yield expression and purification method for Aβ42 based on a fusion with maltose binding protein followed by the soluble polypeptide linker (NANP)3and a modified tobacco etch virus cleavage site before the Aβ42 was developed.
Graphene nanoplatelets-sericin surface-modified Gum alloy for improved biological response
Authors: Mitran Valentina , Dinca Valentina , Ion Raluca , Cojocaru Vasile D. , Neacsu Patricia , Dinu Cerasela Zoica , Rusen Laurentiu , Brajnicov Simona , Bonciu Anca , Dinescu Maria , Raducanu Doina , Dan Ioan , Cimpean Anisoara
Published: May 2018

GNP–SS functionalized Gum alloy exhibits superior bioactivity in inducing in vitro osteogenesis.
Capillary descent
Authors: Delannoy Joachim , de Maleprade Hélène , Clanet Christophe , Quéré David
Published: May 2018

Capillary descent is observed when bringing a hydrophobic tube immersed in water to the top surface of the liquid. Then air moves downwards down to a depth of a few centimeters and the motion of the meniscus exhibits original dynamics, which we discuss.
Electrodeposited thin-film CuxSb anodes for Li-ion batteries: enhancement of cycle life via tuning of film composition and engineering of the film-substrate interface
Authors: Schulze Maxwell C. , Schulze Roland K. , Prieto Amy L.
Published: May 2018

Choice of substrate material for electrodeposited Sb alloy-anodes influences the cycling stability and lifetime of Li-ion batteries.
A solar rechargeable battery based on the sodium ion storage mechanism with Fe2(MoO4)3 microspheres as anode materials
Authors: Gui Yun-Yun , Ai Fang-Xing , Qian Jiang-Feng , Cao Yu-Liang , Li Guo-Ran , Gao Xue-Ping , Yang Han-Xi
Published: May 2018

A solar rechargeable battery based on Na-ion storage presents feasible photon–electron conversion, and energy storage and release capability.
BINOL derivatives with aggression-induced emission
Authors: Shi Lei , Li Kun , Cui Peng-Cheng , Li Ling-Ling , Pan Sheng-Lin , Li Meng-Yang , Yu Xiao-Qi
Published: May 2018

A new series of BINOL derivatives were synthesized which could be turned from ACQ to AIE fluorophores by changing the electron withdrawing group.
Exploration of new UV nonlinear optical materials in the sodium–zinc fluoride carbonate system with the discovery of a new regulation mechanism for the arrangement of [CO3]2− groups
Authors: Peng Guang , Tang Yu-Huan , Lin Chensheng , Zhao Dan , Luo Min , Yan Tao , Chen Yu , Ye Ning
Published: May 2018

Two new sodium–zinc carbonates, NaZnCO3F and Na4Zn(CO3)3, were designed and synthesized.
Effect of maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy on insulin resistance, lipid accumulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle of fetal rats
Authors: Xia Tongjia , Zhang Xue , Wang Youmin , Deng Datong
Published: May 2018

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy on thyroid function of the fetal rat. Female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into two groups. Propylthiouracil (PTU) group received PTU in drinking water for 6 weeks (n=90), normal group received normal drinking water (n=50). The pregnant rats were obtained and had a cesarean-section to get at gestational ages of 8.5, 13, and 21 days, following blood samples and skeletal muscle were obtained from fetal rats. Levels of thyroid hormone, insulin, mitochondrial protein, and adipokines were detected using ELISA. Western blotting was performed to analyze mitochondria and insulin signal transduction-related protein in fetal rat skeletal muscle. Immunostaining of Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) and Oil Red O was used to observe the accumulation of muscle glycogen and lipid in the fetal rat. The results showed that the levels of thyroid hormone, insulin, insulin signal transduction-related protein, mitochondrial, and adipokines increased with the fetus developed, but had no statistical differences in the PTU group compared with the normal group. In conclusion, pregnant rats with hypothyroidism had no influence on insulin resistance (IR), lipid accumulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle of the fetal rats.
Eye centre localisation with hybrid regression framework
Authors: Li Bin
Published: May 2018

The location of the eye is an important feature for computer vision and pattern recognition applications including psychological analysis, facial expression recognition and auxiliary driving. Most of the current work typically performs face detection first, followed by eye centre localisation. Such an algorithm fails to locate eye centre in some cases because the illuminance and external environment changes the facial features blurred in the images; therefore, the traditional face detectors cannot accurately determine the region of the face. A method for eye centre localisation which is based on convolution neural networks and regression framework is proposed. First, eye region is selected from the facial images according to convolutional neural networks. Then, the accurate eye centre is estimated by a linear regression model. Finally, the method on BioID and GI4E datasets is evaluated. The experimental result showed that the proposed algorithm has comparable or better performance compared with the state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Diversity‐multiplexing tradeoff analysis in cooperative wireless networks with a multiple‐antenna relay
Authors: Doorbash Zahra , Jamshidi Ali
Published: May 2018

Multiple antennas can be used for increasing the amount of diversity or number of degrees of freedom in wireless communication systems. In this study, the authors consider a wireless half‐duplex relay network consisting of one source–destination pair each with a single antenna and one relay with multiple antennas. They assume an approach where cooperation of the relay in the transmission depends on the decoding status at the relay. If the relay participates in transmission, the source and the relay use the distributed space‐time code simultaneously. They derive the outage probability and the diversity‐multiplexing tradeoff for the proposed protocol at high SNR. They have shown that the use of the centralised antennas with simultaneously decoding compared to the distributed antennas with independently decoding can improve the system performance.
Joint 2D direction of arrival estimation using a sparse representation of cross covariance matrix
Authors: Cui Wei , Guo Shuxu , Li Yunpeng
Published: May 2018

In this study, the problem of two‐dimensional (2D) direction of arrival estimation for uncorrelated signals with an L‐shaped array is discussed. The estimated cross covariance matrix (CCM) between the sample data along the x‐axis and the z‐axis is constructed. The elevation angle of the signal is obtained by finding the sparse coefficients of the estimated CCM based on the discussion of statistical probability distribution of the sample data error. Once the elevation angle is obtained, with the non‐coupling between the elevation angle and the azimuth angle, the azimuth angle of each source is estimated by the eigenvalue decomposition of the conjugate transpose matrix of the estimated CCM. The proposed algorithm has better estimation performance in the situation of low signal‐to‐noise‐ratio cases but also the estimated azimuth and elevation angles are paired automatically. The performance of the proposed method is compared with some existing schemes and the effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by computer simulations.