bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MicroRNAs are potential objective and early biomarkers for acute rejection of transplanted limbs in a rat model
Authors: Oda Hiroki , Ikeguchi Ryosuke , Aoyama Tomoki , Ohta Souichi , Noguchi Takashi , Kaizawa Yukitoshi , Yurie Hirofumi , Takeuchi Hisataka , Yamamoto Koji , Matsuda Shuichi
Published: September 2017

Background

Limb transplantation is considered to be a treatment option for amputees. Visual skin inspection and histological assessment are used to assess rejection, but these techniques are largely subjective. Using a rat model, we examined the potential of several microRNAs (miRNAs) to be used as objective and minimally invasive biomarkers of acute rejection of transplanted limbs.

Methods

Three Brown Norway rats and 15 Lewis rats were assigned to 2 groups. In the allograft group, 3 Brown Norway rats were used as the donors and 6 Lewis rats as the recipients. In the syngeneic (control) group, 9 Lewis rats were used as the donors and recipients. The hind limbs of the donors were orthotopically transplanted to the recipients. Plasma samples were obtained from all recipients before surgery and on posttransplantation days 3, 7, 10, and 14. All recipients were euthanized on day 14, and skin tissues were harvested for histological assessment.

Results

On posttransplantation days 10 and 14, the plasma expression of miRNA‐146a, miRNA‐155, and miRNA‐182 was significantly upregulated in the allograft group compared with the syngeneic control group. Of these 3 miRNAs, miRNA‐182 had the highest sensitivity and specificity; however the cutoff point for miRNA‐182 was close to the baseline and miRNA‐155 was considered to be most suitable for identifying rejection. Most skin samples in the allograft group were classified as exhibiting grade III rejection on day 14.

Conclusions

Some miRNAs are upregulated during acute rejection of transplanted limbs. These miRNAs are potential biomarkers for the objective, early, minimally invasive diagnosis of rejection.
Non‐invasive electromyographic estimation of motor unit number in the external anal sphincter of the rat
Authors: Zhang Chuan , Munoz Alvaro , Lai H. Henry , Boone Timothy , Zhang Yingchun
Published: September 2017

Aims

The external anal sphincter (EAS) is essential for maintaining fecal continence. Neurological disorders or traumatic injuries to muscle and nervous systems could lead to EAS denervation. Currently, there are no techniques available to document global innervation changes in the EAS in vivo. The aim of this study was to develop a novel approach to non‐invasively estimate the number of functioning motor units (MUs) in the EAS and validate with immunofluorescent techniques in rats.

Methods

Intra‐rectal surface electromyography (EMG) signals of the EAS, induced by a series of intra‐vaginally delivered pudendal nerve stimulations with different intensities, were recorded. Variation in EMG responses at different intensities was used to estimate the value of a single motor unit potential (SMUP) in order to perform the proposed EAS motor unit number estimation (MUNE) approach. The EAS MUNE was tested in 12 female Sprague‐Dawley rats, and validated by comparing against the EAS myofiber counting results achieved by performing immunostaining of acetylcholine receptors in 7 of the 12 rats.

Results

The mean MU number was 35 ± 9, with an averaged SMUP size of 52.49 ± 20.39 μV. The mean number of successfully identified myofibers was 652.7 ± 130.6 myofiber/EAS. Significance of linear regression between the immunofluorescent results and the MUNE was confirmed (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Our study represents the first effort to non‐invasively assess the innervation of the EAS in vivo using the rat as a pre‐clinical model. This approach can potentially enable future clinical applications for advanced diagnosis and treatment of neurogenic EAS disorders.
Pseudo‐extravasation rate constant of dynamic susceptibility contrast‐MRI determined from pharmacokinetic first principles
Authors: Li Xin , Varallyay Csanad G. , Gahramanov Seymur , Fu Rongwei , Rooney William D. , Neuwelt Edward A.
Published: September 2017

Dynamic susceptibility contrast‐magnetic resonance imaging (DSC‐MRI) is widely used to obtain informative perfusion imaging biomarkers, such as the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV). The related post‐processing software packages for DSC‐MRI are available from major MRI instrument manufacturers and third‐party vendors. One unique aspect of DSC‐MRI with low‐molecular‐weight gadolinium (Gd)‐based contrast reagent (CR) is that CR molecules leak into the interstitium space and therefore confound the DSC signal detected. Several approaches to correct this leakage effect have been proposed throughout the years. Amongst the most popular is the Boxerman–Schmainda–Weisskoff (BSW) K2 leakage correction approach, in which the K2 pseudo‐first‐order rate constant quantifies the leakage. In this work, we propose a new method for the BSW leakage correction approach. Based on the pharmacokinetic interpretation of the data, the commonly adopted R2* expression accounting for contributions from both intravascular and extravasating CR components is transformed using a method mathematically similar to Gjedde–Patlak linearization. Then, the leakage rate constant (KL) can be determined as the slope of the linear portion of a plot of the transformed data. Using the DSC data of high‐molecular‐weight (~750 kDa), iron‐based, intravascular Ferumoxytol (FeO), the pharmacokinetic interpretation of the new paradigm is empirically validated. The primary objective of this work is to empirically demonstrate that a linear portion often exists in the graph of the transformed data. This linear portion provides a clear definition of the Gd CR pseudo‐leakage rate constant, which equals the slope derived from the linear segment. A secondary objective is to demonstrate that transformed points from the initial transient period during the CR wash‐in often deviate from the linear trend of the linearized graph. The inclusion of these points will have a negative impact on the accuracy of the leakage rate constant, and even make it time dependent.
Towards simplified and optimized a posteriori error estimation using PGD reduced models
Authors: Allier Pierre‐Eric , Chamoin Ludovic , Ladevèze Pierre
Published: September 2017

The paper deals with the use of model order reduction within a posteriori error estimation procedures in the context of the finite element method. More specifically, it focuses on the constitutive relation error concept, which has been widely used over the last 40 years for FEM verification of computational mechanics models. A technical key‐point when using constitutive relation error is the construction of admissible fields, and we propose here to use the proper generalized decomposition to facilitate this task. In addition to making the implementation into commercial FE software easier, it is shown that the use of proper generalized decomposition enables to optimize the verification procedure and to get both accurate and reasonably expensive upper bounds on the discretization error. Numerical illustrations are presented to assess the performance of the proposed approach.
Evaluating the performance of citric acid as stabilizer and doping agent in an environment friendly approach to prepare electromagnetic nanocomposite particles
Authors: Debnath Mithun Kumar , Rahman Mohammad Abdur , Tauer Klaus , Minami Hideto , Rahman Mohammad Mahbubor , Gafur Mohammad Abdul , Ahmad Hasan
Published: September 2017

The objective of this investigation is to find a less‐expensive and less‐toxic environmentally benign route for the preparation of magnetic PANI nanocomposite particles. For this citric acid, a weak organic tricarboxylic acid has been used during seeded chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in presence of variable amounts of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Nanosized Fe3O4 particles are first prepared by co‐precipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ from their alkaline solutions. Then in the second step, magnetic nanocomposite particles—named as Fe3O4/PANI—are prepared by seeded chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline using ammonium persulfate (APS) as oxidant. Independent of Fe3O4 content, Fe3O4/PANI nanocomposite particles possessed comparable high electrical conductivity having the same magnitude as HCl‐doped PANI particles (2.13 × 10−3 S/cm). This result suggested that addition of citric acid during seeded chemical oxidative polymerization not only promoted solubilization of aniline but also functioned as stabilizer and doping agent. Iron oxide content critically influenced the stability, morphology, and magnetic properties of the produced nanocomposite particles. The saturation magnetization and magnetic susceptibility increased with the increase of Fe3O4 content. The nanocomposite particles prepared with core/shell ratio of 0.6/1 (w/w) exhibited the strongest paramagnetism and aligned into fiber‐like structure. The analysis of electromagnetic properties and spectral data from FTIR, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermogravimetry (TG) confirmed the complete coverage of Fe3O4 nanoparticles by PANI layer. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:4628–4636, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
The Spatial Distribution of Alkaloids in Psychotria prunifolia (Kunth) Steyerm and Palicourea coriacea (Cham.) K. Schum Leaves Analysed by Desorption Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry Imaging
Authors: Kato Lucilia , Moraes Aline Pereira , de Oliveira Cecília Maria Alves , Vaz Boniek Gontijo , de Almeida Gonçalves Letícia , e Silva Elienai Cândida , Janfelt Christian
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Species of the genera Psychotria and Palicourea are sources of indole alkaloids, however, the distribution of alkaloids within the plants is not known. Analysing the spatial distribution using desorption electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry imaging (DESI‐MSI) has become attractive due to its simplicity and high selectivity compared to traditional histochemical techniques.

Objectives

To apply DESI‐MSI to visualise the alkaloid distribution on the leaf surface of Psychotria prunifolia and Palicourea coriacea and to compare the distributions with HPLC–MS and histochemical analyses.

Methodology

Based upon previous structure elucidation studies, four alkaloids targeted in this study were identified using high resolution mass spectrometry by direct infusion of plant extracts, and their distributions were imaged by DESI‐MSI via tissue imprints on a porous Teflon surface. Relative quantitation of the four alkaloids was obtained by HPLC–MS/MS analysis performed using multiple‐reaction monitoring (MRM) mode on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.

Results

Alkaloids showed distinct distributions on the leaf surfaces. Prunifoleine was mainly present in the midrib, while 10‐hydroxyisodeppeaninol was concentrated close to the petiole; a uniform distribution of 10‐hydroxyantirhine was observed in the whole leaf of Psychotria prunifolia. The imprinted image from the Palicourea coriacea leaf also showed a homogeneous distribution of calycanthine throughout the leaf surface.

Conclusion

Different distributions were found for three alkaloids in Psychotria prunifolia, and the distributions found by MSI were in complete accordance with HPLC–MS analysis and histochemical results. The DESI‐MSI technique was therefore demonstrated to provide reliable information about the spatial distribution of metabolites in plants. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An investigation of the beam damage effect on in situ liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis
Authors: Yu Xiaofei , Yu Jiachao , Zhou Yufan , Zhang Yanyan , Wang Jungang , Evans James E. , Yu Xiao‐Ying , Wang Xue‐Lin , Zhu Zihua
Published: September 2017

Rationale

During in situ liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis, the primary ion beam is normally scanned on a very small area to collect signals with high ion doses (1014 to 1016 ions/cm2). As a result, beam damage may become a concern when compared with the static limit of SIMS analysis, in which the dose is normally less than 1012 ions/cm2. Therefore, a comparison of ion yields in in situ liquid SIMS analysis versus traditional static SIMS analysis of corresponding dry samples is of great interest.

Methods

In this study, a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposome solution was used as a model system. Both liquid sample and dry sample were examined. Secondary ion yields using three primary ion species (Bi+, Bi3+ and Bi3++) with various beam currents were investigated.

Results

Usable ion yields for both positive and negative characteristic signals (including molecular ions and characteristic fragment ions) were achievable based on optimized experimental conditions for in situ liquid SIMS analysis. The ion yield of the key DPPC molecular ion was comparable to that of traditional static SIMS, and unexpected low fragmentation was observed. The flexible structure of the liquid plays an important role for these observations.

Conclusions

Therefore, beam damage may not be a concern in in situ liquid SIMS analysis if proper experimental conditions are used.
Swimming behaviour and ascent paths of brook trout in a corrugated culvert
Authors: Goerig E. , Bergeron N. E. , Castro‐Santos T.
Published: September 2017

Culverts may restrict fish movements under some hydraulic conditions such as shallow flow depths or high velocities. Although swimming capacity imposes limits to passage performance, behaviour also plays an important role in the ability of fish to overcome velocity barriers. Corrugated metal culverts are characterized by unsteady flow and existence of low‐velocity zones, which can improve passage success. Here, we describe swimming behaviour and ascent paths of 148 wild brook trout in a 1.5‐m section of a corrugated metal culvert located in Raquette Stream, Québec, Canada. Five passage trials were conducted in mid‐August, corresponding to specific mean cross‐sectional flow velocities ranging from 0.30 to 0.63 m/s. Fish were individually introduced to the culvert and their movements recorded with a camera located above the water. Lateral and longitudinal positions were recorded at a rate of 3 Hz in order to identify ascent paths. These positions were related to the distribution of flow depths and velocities in the culvert. Brook trout selected flow velocities from 0.2 to 0.5 m/s during their ascents, which corresponded to the available flow velocities in the culvert at the low‐flow conditions. This however resulted in the use of low‐velocity zones at higher flows, mainly located along the walls of the culvert. Some fish also used the corrugations for sheltering, although the behaviour was marginal and did not occur at the highest flow condition. This study improves knowledge on fish behaviour during culvert ascents, which is an important aspect for developing reliable and accurate estimates of fish passage ability.
Parsing Excel formulas: A grammar and its application on 4 large datasets
Authors: Aivaloglou Efthimia , Hoepelman David , Hermans Felienne
Published: September 2017

Spreadsheets are popular end user programming tools, especially in the industrial world. This makes them interesting research targets. However, there does not exist a reliable grammar that is concise enough to facilitate formula parsing and analysis and to support research on spreadsheet codebases. This paper presents a grammar for spreadsheet formulas that can successfully parse 99.99% of more than 8 million unique formulas extracted from 4 spreadsheet datasets. Our grammar is compatible with the spreadsheet formula language, recognizes the spreadsheet formula elements that are required for supporting spreadsheets research, and produces parse trees aimed at further manipulation and analysis. Additionally, we use the grammar to analyze the characteristics of the formulas of the 4 datasets in 3 different dimensions: complexity, functionality, and data utilization. Our results show that (1) most Excel formulas are simple, however formulas with more than 50 functions or operations exist, (2) almost all formulas use data from other cells, which is often not local, and (3) a surprising number of referring mechanisms are used by less than 1% of the formulas.
A new method for evaluating the natural frequency in radial breathing like mode vibration of double‐walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Fatahi‐Vajari Alireza
Published: September 2017

This paper investigates the radial breathing like mode (RBLM) vibration of double‐walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) based on a new theory called doublet mechanics (DM) with a scale parameter. To this end, DWCNTs are considered as two concentric elastic thin cylindrical shells bounded together with van der Waals (vdW) forces between them. The vdW forces are modeled using Len‐Jones potential. Using DM, two coupled second order partial differential equations that govern the RBLM vibration of DWCNTs are derived. Subsequently, the equations of motion are solved to obtain the natural frequencies in the RBLM vibration. It is the first time that DM is used to derive the natural frequencies of the RBLM vibration for DWCNTs. The advantage of these analytical formulas is that unlike the other methods, they are explicitly dependent to scale parameter and chirality effect. It is shown that the chirality and scale parameter play significant role in the RBLM vibration response of DWCNTs. To validate the accuracy and efficiency of this work, the results obtained herein are compared with the existing theoretical and experimental results and good agreement is observed.
Cohort Contributions to Race‐ and Gender‐Specific Trends in the Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the USA
Authors: Beal Eliza W. , Tumin Dmitry , Kabir Ali , Moris Dimitrios , Zhang Xu‐Feng , Chakedis Jeffery , Washburn Kenneth , Black Sylvester , Schmidt Carl M. , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Increasing incidence of lifelong obesity and associated nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in younger birth cohorts may have contributed to growing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the USA. Yet, the contribution of cohort effects to trends in HCC incidence is unclear.

Methods

Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program 1973–2013, race‐ and gender‐specific trends in HCC incidence in the USA were decomposed using age‐period‐cohort (APC) modeling.

Results

Among SEER registry sites included in the analysis, there were 25,532 cases of HCC diagnosed including 15,867 (62%) White males, 3541 (14%) Black males, 5009 (20%) White females, and 1115 (4%) Black females. HCC incidence increases across periods, especially among men. Underlying this increase, APC models found significant cohort effects among White men, White women, and Black men, with rapid growth in HCC risk among cohorts born after 1940. A similar cohort trend among Black women did not reach statistical significance when compared to an age‐period model.

Conclusions

Cohort‐specific trends have significantly contributed to increasing HCC incidence in recent decades. The rapid increase in HCC risk among younger cohorts suggests that the incidence of HCC will continue increasing in the near future.
Longer fibers, increased strength
Authors: Wöhrle Manuel
Published: September 2017

When it comes to the cost-effective production of high-strength lightweight parts in large volumes, the length of the structural reinforcing fibers is of key importance. The rule of thumb here is: the longer the fibers incorporated in the plastics, the greater the resilience of the final products. The fiber length and content cannot be influenced in the case of ready-to-use fiber-filled granulate mixes. Things are different with innovative fiber direct compounding (FDC). Here, a side feeder can be used to incorporate fiber strands of variable length in the liquid plastic melt. This allows the mechanical properties of the parts to be improved. Moreover, it also offers significant cost advantages in comparison with fiber-reinforced standard granulate.
Pulmonary embolism with cardiac arrest: a STEMI patient’s unexpected course
Authors: Piggott Zoë , Jelic Tomislav
Published: September 2017

We describe the successful use and complications of bolus-dose alteplase to treat strongly suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) with cardiac arrest in a patient initially presenting as ST-elevation myocardial infarcation (MI). Case description is followed by a review of the indications, safety, and dosing of systemic thrombolytic therapy for high-risk PE in the emergency department (ED). Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to PE in critically ill patients is also considered, including the potential utility of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) in the ED.
Red meat intake is positively associated with non-fatal acute myocardial infarction in the Costa Rica Heart Study
Authors: Wang Dongqing , Campos Hannia , Baylin Ana
Published: September 2017

The adverse effect of red meat consumption on the risk for CVD is a major population health concern, especially in developing Hispanic/Latino countries in which there are clear trends towards increased consumption. This population-based case–control study examined the associations between total, processed and unprocessed red meat intakes and non-fatal acute myocardial infarction (MI) in Costa Rica. The study included 2131 survivors of a first non-fatal acute MI and 2131 controls individually matched by age, sex and area of residence. Dietary intake was assessed with a FFQ. OR were estimated by using conditional logistic regression. Higher intakes of total and processed red meat were associated with increased odds of acute MI. The OR were 1·31 (95 % CI 1·04, 1·65) and 1·29 (95 % CI 1·01, 1·65) for the highest quintiles of total red meat (median: 110·8 g or 1 serving/d) and processed red meat intake (median: 36·1 g or 5 servings/week), respectively. There were increasing trends in the odds of acute MI with higher total (Ptrend=0·01) and processed (Ptrend=0·02) red meat intakes. Unprocessed red meat intake was not associated with increased odds of acute MI. Substitutions of 50 g of alternative foods (fish, milk, chicken without skin and chicken without fat) for 50 g of total, processed and unprocessed red meat were associated with lower odds of acute MI. The positive association between red meat intake and acute MI in Costa Rica highlights the importance of reducing red meat consumption in middle-income Hispanic/Latino populations.
Nécessitarisme leibnizien et volonté divine à l’époque duDe summa rerum: un choix du meilleur sans alternatives?
Authors: BOUTROS-JACQUELINE MAXIME
Published: September 2017

La philosophie modale de Leibniz en 1675-1676 s’élabore dans un rapport complexe au spinozisme. Les interprètes cherchent à établir dans quelle mesure ces textes préfigurent l’opposition ultérieure au nécessitarisme reproché à Spinoza. Le statut des possibles non réalisés constitue le cœur du débat. Nous défendrons la thèse selon laquelle Leibniz souscrit à un nécessitarisme strict qu’il cherche à rendre compatible avec la personnalité divine. Leibniz n’envisage d’autres possibles qu’afin de garantir le choix nécessaire du meilleur; choix sans options, pensable à partir de l’agir sur soi divin.
Civilising statecraft: Andrew Linklater and comparative sociologies of states-systems
Authors: Dunne Tim , Devetak Richard
Published: September 2017

In this contribution to the forum marking the publication of Andrew Linklater’s remarkable book onViolence and Civilization in the Western States-Systemswe first locate the book in the context of Linklater’s overarching intellectual journey. While best known for his contribution to a critical international theory, it is through his engagement with Martin Wight’s comparative sociology of states-systems that Linklater found resonances with the work of process sociologist, Norbert Elias. Integrating Wight’s insights into the states-system with Elias’s insights into civilising processes,Violence and Civilizationpresents a high-level theoretical synthesis with the aim of historically tracing restraints on violence. The article identifies a tension between the cosmopolitan philosophical history which underpins the argument of the book, and which has underpinned all Linklater’s previous works, and the ‘Utrecht Enlightenment’ that offers a conception of ‘civilized statecraft’ at odds with a universal conception of morality and justice. The article then examines Linklater’s argument about the ‘global civilizing process’ as it applies to post-Second World War efforts to build greater institutional capability to protect peoples from harm. It is argued that Linklater over-estimates the extent to which solidarism has civilised international society, and that the extension of state responsibilities and development of civilised statecraft owe more to pluralism than solidarism.
PARTICIPATORY DESIGN OF PEDIATRIC UPPER LIMB PROSTHESES: QUALITATIVE METHODS AND PROTOTYPING
Authors: Sims Tara , Cranny Andy , Metcalf Cheryl , Chappell Paul , Donovan-Hall Maggie
Published: September 2017

Objectives: The study aims to develop an understanding of the views of children and adolescents, parents, and professionals on upper limb prosthetic devices to develop and improve device design. Previous research has found that children are dissatisfied with prostheses but has relied heavily on parent proxy reports and quantitative measures (such as questionnaires) to explore their views.

Methods: Thirty-four participants (eight children aged 8–15 years with upper limb difference, nine parents, eight prosthetists, and nine occupational therapists) contributed to the development of new devices through the BRIDGE methodology of participatory design, using focus groups and interviews.

Results: The study identified areas for improving prostheses from the perspective of children and adolescents, developed prototypes based on these and gained feedback on the prototypes from the children and other stakeholders (parents and professionals) of paediatric upper limb prostheses. Future device development needs to focus on ease of use, versatility, appearance, and safety.

Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that children and adolescents can and should be involved as equal partners in the development of daily living equipment and that rapid prototyping (three-dimensional printing or additive manufacturing), used within a participatory design framework, can be a useful tool for facilitating this.
Ethics and the Foundation of Global Justice
Authors: Sen Amartya
Published: September 2017

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote in his Letter from Birmingham Jail: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” That was in April 1963, more than a half-century ago. He had been jailed for his agitation to end injustice against non-white people in his own country, and he would be killed soon after by an assassin who hated him and his vision.
The Ethics of Insurgency
Authors: Johnson James Turner
Published: September 2017

In the latter half of the twentieth century, lasting memories of two world wars and astonishment over the power of nuclear weapons left both policymakers and scholars of war largely preoccupied with the possibility of a catastrophic World War III. Instead, however, the face of war since 1945 has been that of regionally limited small wars and insurgencies fought with conventional weapons. Many of these conflicts began as armed rebellions against colonial regimes, but often later evolved into armed conflicts between and among various subgroups seeking control of state government. Such conflicts have usually been asymmetrical, with the party holding the reins of state power using aircraft, artillery, and armored vehicles, while those fighting against the regime have been limited to weapons that individuals can carry, such as automatic rifles, mortars, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and improvised weapons of various sorts. The asymmetries have also typically gone deeper, with the fighters on the former side wearing uniforms and those on the latter often not; those on the former side making use of fortified bases and those on the latter side protecting themselves by blending in with the civilian population. Further, there have frequently been asymmetries in how each side has fought, with the militarily weaker side relying on stealth tactics, deception, and attacks against nonmilitary targets of more general public value, including direct attacks on people protected as noncombatants under the laws of war. The particular range of tactics classified as terrorism begins at this point, with the specific, direct, and intentional targeting of noncombatants. Such attacks not only have been the means of choice for transnational nonstate actors, including al-Qaeda and the self-styled Islamic State, but have also been used to considerable effect in local civil wars.
No, Prime Minister: PhD Plagiarism of High Level Public Officials
Authors: Tudoroiu Theodor
Published: September 2017

Based on a public office definition of corruption, this article uses the case studies of doctoral plagiarism of German Minister of Defence Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Hungarian President Pàl Schmitt, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to show that, by shattering citizens’ confidence in and respect for political class, political parties, state institutions and rule of law, academic plagiarism of high-ranking politicians intertwines with and enforces the most serious democratic failures in their respective countries: degeneration of political culture in Germany, nationalist authoritarian trends in Hungary, a culture of corruption in Romania, and outright dictatorship in Russia. As such, this specific type of plagiarism goes far beyond academia. It represents a direct, aggressive, and effective threat against democracy itself.
Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing to further explore growth and trade-off effects in myostatin-mutated F4 medaka (Oryzias latipes)
Authors: Yeh Ying-Chun , Kinoshita Masato , Ng Tze Hann , Chang Yu-Hsuan , Maekawa Shun , Chiang Yi-An , Aoki Takashi , Wang Han-Ching
Published: September 2017

Myostatin (MSTN) suppresses skeletal muscle development and growth in mammals, but its role in fish is less well understood. Here we used CRISPR/Cas9 to mutate the MSTN gene in medaka (Oryzias latipes) and evaluate subsequent growth performance. We produced mutant F0 fish that carried different frameshifts in the OlMSTN coding sequence and confirmed the heritability of the mutant genotypes to the F1 generation. Two F1 fish with the same heterozygous frame-shifted genomic mutations (a 22 bp insertion in one allele; a 32 bp insertion in the other) were then crossbred to produce subsequent generations (F2~F5). Body length and weight of the MSTN−/− F4 medaka were significantly higher than in the wild type fish, and muscle fiber density in the inner and outer compartments of the epaxial muscles was decreased, suggesting that MSTN null mutation induces muscle hypertrophy. From 3~4 weeks post hatching (wph), the expression of three major myogenic related factors (MRFs), MyoD, Myf5 and Myogenin, was also significantly upregulated. Some medaka had a spinal deformity, and we also observed a trade-off between growth and immunity in MSTN−/− F4 medaka. Reproduction was unimpaired in the fast-growth phenotypes.
Tailoring Eigenmodes at Spectral Singularities in Graphene-based PT Systems
Authors: Zhang Weixuan , Wu Tong , Zhang Xiangdong
Published: September 2017

The spectral singularity existing in PT-synthetic plasmonic system has been widely investigated. Only lasing-mode can be excited resulting from the passive characteristic of metallic materials. Here, we investigated the spectral singularity in the hybrid structure composed of the photoexcited graphene and one-dimensional PT-diffractive grating. In this system, both lasing- and absorption-modes can be excited with the surface conductivity of photoexcited graphene being loss and gain, respectively. Remarkably, the spectral singularity will disappear with the optically pumped graphene to be lossless. In particular, we find that spectral singularities can exhibit symmetry-modes, when the loss and gain of the grating is unbalanced. Meanwhile, by tuning the loss (gain) of graphene and non-PT diffraction grating, lasing- and absorption-modes can also be excited. We hope that tunable optical modes at spectral singularities can have some applications in designing novel surface-enhanced spectroscopies and plasmon lasers.
Dynamic oropharyngeal and faecal microbiota during treatment in infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis compared with age-matched healthy subjects
Authors: Hu Qian , Dai Wenkui , Zhou Qian , Fu Dan , Zheng Yuejie , Wang Wenjian , Liu Yanhong , Yang Qin , Dai Dongling , Liu Sixi , Liu Guosheng , Li Shuaicheng , Wen Feiqiu
Published: September 2017

Bronchiolitis is one of the most severe diseases affecting infants worldwide. An imbalanced oropharynx (OP) microbiota has been reported in infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis; however, the microbiota dynamics in the OP and faeces during therapy remain unexplored. In total, 27 infants who were hospitalized with bronchiolitis were selected for this study, and sampling was conducted before therapy and after clinical recovery. We also recruited 22 age-matched healthy infants for this study. The faecal and OP microbiota diversity in the patients was lower than that in the healthy children. The faecal microbiota (FM) in the diseased children significantly differed from that in the healthy subjects and contained accumulated Bacteroides and Streptococcus. The OP microbiota in both the healthy and diseased infants was dominated by Streptococcus. After the treatment, the FM and OP microbiota in the patients was comparable to that before the treatment. This study may serve as an additional reference for future bronchiolitis studies, and the “risk microbiota model” of clinically recovered infants suggests an increased susceptibility to pathogen intrusion.
MALDI-TOF-MS based identification and molecular characterization of food associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Manukumar H. M. , Umesha S.
Published: September 2017

Food-borne methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is involved in two-fold higher mortality rate compared to methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA). Eventhough Mysuru recognized as cleanest city in the world, prevalence of food contamination is not detailed. The aim is to screen food samples from Mysuru area and to characterize MRSA strain, employing MALDI-Biotyper, multiplex PCR to distinguish between MRSA and MSSA by PCR-coupled single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). Of all the food-borne pathogens, S. aureus contamination accounts for 94.37 ± 0.02% (P < 0.01), strains characterized by means of nuc genes, followed by species specific identification by Coa, Eap and SpA genes and multiplex PCR to confirm the presence of three methicillin resistant staphylococcal species simultaneously using nuc and phoP genes. Amplification of mecA gene in 159 isolates confirmed that all strains are methicillin resistant, except UOM160 (MSSA) and multi-drug resistant (MDR) in 159 isolates confirmed by 22 sets of β-lactam antibiotics. MSSA and MDR-MRSA were discriminated by PCR-SSCP using nuc gene for the first time. From the present studies, compared to conventional methods MALDI-Biotyper emerged as an effective, sensitive (>99%), robust (<2 min), and alternative tool for pathogen identification, and we developed a PCR-SSCP technique for rapid detection of MSSA and MRSA strains.
Improvement of the glycoproteomic toolbox with the discovery of a unique C-terminal cleavage specificity of flavastacin for N-glycosylated asparagine
Authors: Pralow Alexander , Hoffmann Marcus , Nguyen-Khuong Terry , Rapp Erdmann , Reichl Udo
Published: September 2017

To determine all potential N-glycosylation sites of a glycoprotein, one central aspect of every bottom-up N-glycoproteomic strategy is to generate suitable N-glycopeptides that can be detected and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Specific proteases, such as trypsin, bear the potential of generating N-glycopeptides that either carry more than one N-glycosylation site or are too long to be readily analyzed by mass spectrometry– both due to the lack of tryptic cleavage sites near the N-glycosylation site. Here, we present a newly identified cleavage specificity of flavastacin, a protease from Flavobacterium menigosepticum, which - up to now - was only reported to cleave peptide bonds N-terminal to aspartic acid residues. In contrast to literature, we could not confirm this N-terminal specificity of flavastacin for aspartic acid. However, for the first time, we show a unique cleavage specificity of flavastacin towards the C-terminus of N-glycosylated asparagine residues. Implemented in an N-glycoproteomic workflow the use of flavastacin can thus not only render data analysis much easier, it can also significantly increase the confidence of MS-based N-glycoproteomic analyses. We demonstrate this newly discovered specificity of flavastacin by in-depth LC-MS(/MS) analysis of complex-type glycosylated human lactotransferrin and bovine serum albumin peptides and N-glycopeptides that were generated by trypsin and flavastacin digestion. Following to this work, further elucidation of the efficiency, specificity and mode of action of flavastacin is needed, but we believe that our discovery has great potential to facilitate and improve the characterization of N-glycoproteomes.
Soil microbial carbon utilization, enzyme activities and nutrient availability responses to Bidens pilosa and a non-invasive congener under different irradiances
Authors: Wei Hui , Yan Wenbin , Quan Guoming , Zhang Jiaen , Liang Kaiming
Published: September 2017

Two Bidens species (Bidens pilosa and B. bipinnata) that originate from America have been introduced widely in pan-tropics, with the former regarded as a noxious invasive weed whereas the latter naturalized as a plant resource. Whether the two species exhibit different effects on the belowground system remains rarely studied. This study was conducted to investigate soil microbial carbon (C) utilization, enzyme activities and available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents under the two species in a subtropical garden soil of southern China under different levels of light intensity. Results showed that the microbial C utilization and enzyme activities were not significantly different under the two species, implying that the strong invasiveness of B. pilosa could not be due to the plant-soil microbe interactions, at least plant-induced alterations of microbial community function to utilize C substrates. Alternatively, available soil nitrogen and potassium contents were significantly higher under B. pilosa than under B. bipinnata in full sun, indicating that the strong invasiveness of B. pilosa could result from rapid nutrient mobilizations by B. pilosa. However, the differences turned non-significant as light intensity decreased, suggesting that light availability could substantially alter the plant effects on soil nutrient mobilizations.
Difference in gating and doping effects on the band gap in bilayer graphene
Authors: Uchiyama Takaki , Goto Hidenori , Akiyoshi Hidehiko , Eguchi Ritsuko , Nishikawa Takao , Osada Hiroshi , Kubozono Yoshihiro
Published: September 2017

A band gap is opened in bilayer graphene (BLG) by applying an electric field perpendicular to the layer, which offers versatility and controllability in graphene-based electronics. The presence of the band gap has been confirmed using double-gated BLG devices in which positive and negative gate voltages are applied to each side of BLG. An alternative method to induce the electric field is electron and hole doping of each side of BLG using electron-transfer adsorbates. However, the generation of the band gap by carrier doping is still under investigation. Here, we determined whether the electron/hole doping can produce the electric field required to open the band gap by measuring the temperature dependence of conductivity for BLG placed between electron-donor self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and electron-acceptor molecules. We found that some devices exhibited a band gap and others did not. The potentially irregular and variable structure of SAMs may affect the configuration of the electric field, yielding variable electronic properties. This study demonstrates the essential differences between gating and doping.
One-pot synthesis of multicomponent (Mo, Co) metal sulfide/carbon nanoboxes as anode materials for improving Na-ion storage
Authors: Xiang Juan , Song Taeseup
Published: September 2017

MoS2/Co9S8/C hollow nanocubes for improved sodium storage properties are synthesized using ZIF-67 nanocrystals as both templates and precursors.
DNA action on the growth and habit modification of NaCl crystals
Authors: Qin Yazhou , Yu Dongdong , Zhou Jianguang
Published: September 2017

{100} hopper-like NaCl crystals were prepared upon the action of DNA by the solvent evaporation method.
Hydrogen assisted synthesis of branched nickel nanostructures: a combined theoretical and experimental study
Authors: Liang Xin , Liu Ning , Qiu Huiyun , Zhang Cong , Mei Donghai , Chen Biaohua
Published: September 2017

The selective adsorption of small molecules over specific facets plays an important role in morphology controlled synthesis of metal nanocrystals.
Towards a complete characterization of the δ-dispersion in dielectric spectroscopy of protein–water systems
Authors: Braun Daniel , Schmollngruber Michael , Steinhauser Othmar
Published: September 2017

The δ-process in dielectric spectroscopy of protein–water systems is computationally analyzed in great detail, in relation to other experiments.
Proton relays in anomalous carbocations dictate spectroscopy, stability, and mechanisms: case studies on C2H5+and C3H3+
Authors: Sager LeeAnn M. , Iyengar Srinivasan S.
Published: September 2017

We present a detailed exposition of “Grothuss-like” proton shuttles in C2H5+and C3H3+that result in anomalous structural and spectral behavior.
Chemical systems out of equilibrium
Authors: van Esch Jan H. , Klajn Rafal , Otto Sijbren
Published: September 2017

Guest editors Jan van Esch, Rafal Klajn and Sijbren Otto introduce the chemical systems out of equilibrium issue of Chemical Society Reviews.
Long-range magnetic ordering in a metal–organic framework based on octanuclear nickel(ii) clusters
Authors: Wang Jun-Li , Bai Yan , Pan Hui , Zheng Guang-Shui , Dang Dong-Bin
Published: September 2017

A beautiful 3D nickel(ii)–organic framework possessing one type of rare polyhedral cage has been synthesized based on H3BTC and bpp ligands. Long-range magnetic ordering is observed in the framework.
Facile preparation of bio-based polyesters from furandicarboxylic acid and long chain diols via asymmetric monomer strategy
Authors: Shen Yong , Yao Binbin , Yu Guang , Fu Yao , Liu Fusheng , Li Zhibo
Published: September 2017

Polyesters based on FDCA and long-chain diols were prepared via an asymmetric monomer strategy.
Nanosecond laser ablation tandem inductively coupled plasma mass and optical emission spectrometry for micro-chemical elemental analysis
Authors: Gong Gelian , Sun Saijun , Zhou Jibin , Li Congyin , Liang Xu , Fang Xiaodong , You Libing , Xu Hongyun , Sun Weidong
Published: September 2017

Simultaneous in situ concentration determination by LA-ICP-MS and LA-ICP-OES.
Preparation and characterization of a red luminescent composite composed of an EVA copolymer and a Y3BO6:Eu3+ phosphor
Authors: Chapel Anthony , Boonsin Rachod , Chadeyron Geneviève , Boyer Damien , Bousquet Angélique , Mahiou Rachid , Henrique Cassinelli Wellington , Santilli Celso Valentim , Therias Sandrine
Published: September 2017

This work describes the preparation of red luminescent composites based on an ethylene/vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer filled with a Y3BO6:Eu3+ phosphor powder.
Silver-induced electronic drift in AgPd bimetallics: rationale for enhanced electrocatalytic activity of ethanol oxidation reaction
Authors: Roy Anindita , Pal Tarasankar
Published: September 2017

Enhanced catalytic ethanol oxidation is mechanistically driven by the Ag-induced electronic drift from Pd in an AgPd bimetallic system.
High energy product chemically synthesized exchange coupled Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe magnetic powders
Authors: Parmar Harshida , Xiao T. , Chaudhary V. , Zhong Y. , Ramanujan R. V.
Published: September 2017

We have developed the synthesis of Nd–Fe–B hard magnets by a microwave based process.
ZnO-based microrockets with light-enhanced propulsion
Authors: Dong Renfeng , Wang Chun , Wang Qinglong , Pei Allen , She Xueling , Zhang Yuxian , Cai Yuepeng
Published: September 2017

Improving the propulsion of artificial micro–nanomotors represents an exciting nanotechnology challenge, we have demonstrated novel ZnO–Pt microrockets exhibit excellent light-enhanced propulsion and outstanding potential for cargo transportation.
Plasmonic color metasurfaces fabricated by a high speed roll-to-roll method
Authors: Murthy Swathi , Pranov Henrik , Feidenhans'l Nikolaj A. , Madsen Jonas S. , Hansen Poul Erik , Pedersen Henrik C. , Taboryski Rafael
Published: September 2017

Novel plasmonic metasurface design that allows roll-to-roll mass-production of plasmonic color foils at a line speed of 10 meters per minute.
Optimization of a synthetic receptor for dimethyllysine using a biphenyl-2,6-dicarboxylic acid scaffold: insights into selective recognition of hydrophilic guests in water
Authors: Gober Isaiah N. , Waters Marcey L.
Published: September 2017

Introduction of an endo-carboxylate in a building block for dynamic combinatorial chemistry resulted in amplification of a new host with a Kd of 200 nM for dimethyllysine, a biologically important post-translational modification.
Hexamethylphosphoramide as a highly reactive catalyst for the reversible-deactivation radical polymerization of MMA with an in situ formed alkyl iodide initiator
Authors: Wang Yan-an , Shi Yan , Fu Zhifeng , Yang Wantai
Published: September 2017

A novel and highly efficient organic catalyst for the reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) of methyl methacrylate with anin situformed alkyl iodide initiator.
Bridge-driven aggregation control in dibenzofulvene–naphthalimide based donor–bridge–acceptor systems:  enabling fluorescence enhancement, blue to red emission and solvatochromism
Authors: Gopikrishna Peddaboodi , Raman Adil Laxmi , Iyer Parameswar Krishnan
Published: September 2017

The photophysical and aggregation behavior of four novel donor–acceptor based luminogens was precisely controlled by the π-electron bridge in the donor–bridge–acceptor core structures.
Magnetization of eugenol to fabricate magnetic-responsive emulsions for targeted delivery of caffeic acid phenethyl ester
Authors: Wang Tao , Wang Ren , Chen Zhengxing , Zhong Qixin
Published: September 2017

The manipulative colloidal vehicles with appreciable stability were fabricated by rice proteins under an eco-friendly, cross-linkage free environment, which can be tailored for targeted delivery of diagnostic or curative drugs.
Corona discharge-induced reduction of quinones in negative electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Pei Jiying , Hsu Cheng-Chih , Wang Yinghui , Yu Kefu
Published: September 2017

Quinone reduction during negative ESI MS was illustrated to be closely related to corona discharge (CD).
A novel fuel electrode enabling direct CO2 electrolysis with excellent and stable cell performance
Authors: Li Yihang , Hu Bobing , Xia Changrong , Xu Wayne Q. , Lemmon John P. , Chen Fanglin
Published: September 2017

Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) can directly convert CO2 to CO and O2 that are important building blocks for chemical production and other applications.
Tailoring photoelectrochemical properties of semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenide nanolayers with porphyrin functionalization
Authors: Zhang Hanyu , Ji Jaehoon , Gonzalez Adalberto A. , Choi Jong Hyun
Published: September 2017

We report a facile interfacial engineering method that can drastically modulate the photoelectrochemical properties of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) semiconductors.