bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The significance of a prenatal diagnosis of right aortic arch
Authors: Wójtowicz Anna , Respondek‐Liberska Maria , Słodki Maciej , Kordjalik Paulina , Płużańska Joanna , Knafel Anna , Huras Hubert
Published: February 2017

Objectives

To analyze a population of fetuses with prenatally diagnosed right aortic arch (RAA).

Methods

Retrospective study of fetuses with RAA diagnosed prenatally between 2011 and 2015 in two referral centers.

Results

Right aortic arch was found in 4.4% (46/1036) of fetuses with cardiovascular abnormalities (CVA). As an isolated anomaly, RAA was present in 30.4% of cases; in 32.6%, other CVA were detected; in 23.9%, CVA and extracardiac anomalies; and in 13.1%, only extracardiac malformations. The most common noncardiac abnormalities were thymus hypoplasia/aplasia (7/17), of which six had deletion 22q.11.2. In another three fetuses, trisomy 21 was present. One intrauterine fetal death occurred at 41 weeks of pregnancy, and two fetuses died after birth. In six of 18 infants with known follow‐up, symptoms of dysphagia were reported, of which four infants underwent surgical intervention. In 12 infants, an isolated RAA was clinically silent.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of RAA is an indication for a detailed examination of cardiac and noncardiac structures, including the thymus. It is advisable to consider genetic testing, together with the assessment of deletion 22q11.2, especially in the case of accompanying defects. The prognosis depends on underlying cardiac and extracardiac anomalies and possibly coexisting genetic defects. Isolated anomalies are asymptomatic. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Traits across the personality hierarchy differentially relate to positive and negative affect: Evidence for the predictive validity of empirically derived meta‐traits
Authors: Hengartner Michael P. , Graf Markus , Schreiber Marc
Published: February 2017

There is increasing interest in the construct validity of higher‐order domains of the Big Five personality traits. A total of 831 persons from the Swiss population completed the International Personality Item Pool and an adaptation of the Positive and Negative Affect Scales. Using Goldberg's bass‐ackwards method, we found evidence for the general factor of personality (GFP) and the two meta‐traits of positive emotionality (blend of low neuroticism and high extraversion) and constraint (blend of high agreeableness and conscientiousness). In association with positive affect, the explanatory power of the GFP (r = 0.43) and positive emotionality (r = 0.37) was largely superior to extraversion (r = 0.24), conscientiousness (r = 0.18), agreeableness (r = 0.09) and openness (r = 0.04), although not neuroticism (r = −0.34). In association with negative affect, neuroticism (r = 0.41), the GFP (r = −0.36) and positive emotionality (r = −0.35) were the most powerful single predictors. We conclude that the higher‐order structure of personality is best explained by the meta‐traits of positive emotionality and constraint, which correspond closely to the well‐established superfactors of internalizing and externalizing. We further demonstrate that these have substantial criterion validity when broad positive and negative affect is the outcome of interest. These findings help to relate Big Five meta‐traits to pathological personality. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis reveals system‐wide signaling pathways regulated by site‐specific phosphorylation of Keratin‐8 in skin squamous cell carcinoma derived cell line
Authors: Tiwari Richa , Sahu Indrajit , Soni Bihari lal , Sathe Gajanan J. , Datta Keshava K. , Thapa Pankaj , Sinha Shruti , Vadivel Chella Krishna , Dhaka Bharti , Gowda Harsha , Vaidya Milind M.
Published: February 2017

Keratin 8/18, a simple epithelia specific keratin pair, is often aberrantly expressed in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) where its expression is correlated with increased invasion and poor prognosis. Majority of Keratin 8 (K8) functions are governed by its phosphorylation at Serine73 (head‐domain) and Serine431 (tail‐domain) residues. Although, deregulation of K8 phosphorylation is associated with progression of different carcinomas, its role in skin‐SCC and the underlying mechanism is obscure. In this direction, we performed tandem mass tag‐based quantitative phosphoproteomics by expressing K8 wild type, phosphodead, and phosphomimetic mutants in K8‐deficient A431 cells. Further analysis of our phosphoproteomics data showed a significant proportion of total phosphoproteome associated with migratory, proliferative, and invasive potential of these cells to be differentially phosphorylated. Differential phosphorylation of CDK1T14,Y15, EIF4EBP1T46,T50, EIF4BS422, AKT1S1T246,S247, CTTN1T401,S405,Y421, and CAP1S307/309 in K8‐S73A/D mutant and CTTN1T401,S405,Y421, BUB1BS1043, and CARHSP1S30,S32 in K8‐S431A/D mutants as well as some anonymous phosphosites including MYCS176, ZYXS344, and PNNS692 could be potential candidates associated with K8 phosphorylation mediated tumorigenicity. Biochemical validation followed by phenotypic analysis further confirmed our quantitative phosphoproteomics data. In conclusion, our study provides the first global picture of K8 site‐specific phosphorylation function in neoplastic progression of A431 cells and suggests various potential starting points for further mechanistic studies.
Liquid crystalline supramolecular crosslinked polymer complexes of ditopic rylenebisimides and P4VP
Authors: Saibal B. , Narayan Rekha , Chithiravel S. , Asha S. K.
Published: February 2017

Perylenebisimide and naphthalenebisimide (PBI‐PDP and NBI‐PDP) end functionalized with pentadecyl phenol is designed as ditopic hydrogen bonding acceptors to form supramolecular crosslinked network with poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) (P4VP). The pristine PBI‐PDP has been grown as single crystals from DCM‐MeOH (dichloromethane‐methanol) mixture at room temperature, which revealed a P21 space group. Noticeably, the pentadecyl alkyl chain shields the aromatic perylene core on both sides resulting in the absence of π–π interaction in single‐crystal assembly. The naphthalenebisimide derivative exhibits thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior, while both the molecules exhibits lyotropic liquid crystalline phases in tetrahydrofuran (THF), which were characterized using a combination of differential scanning calorimeter, X‐ray diffraction, and polarized light microscopy. The hydrogen‐bonded complex of both the rylenebisimides with P4VP preserves the mesomorphic properties in THF. The electron transport mobility measured by space charge limited current measurements reveals a two orders of magnitude increase in the charge transport in the P4VP complex compared to that of the pristine molecule. The average electron mobility obtained is μe,avg: 10−3 cm2/Vs for P4VP‐PBI compared to μe,avg: 10−5 cm2/Vs for pristine PBI derivative. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 951–959
Asymmetric anionic polymerizations of 7‐(o‐substituted phenyl)‐2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone methides: Electrostatic interaction and steric, inductive, and resonance effects of the ortho‐substituent on the optical activity
Authors: Uno Takahiro , Yamamoto Shuhei , Yamane Atsushi , Kubo Masataka , Itoh Takahito
Published: February 2017

7‐(o‐Substituted phenyl)‐2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone methides which have an electron‐donating methoxy‐(o‐OMe, 2a) and methyl‐ (o‐Me, 2b) substituents or an electron‐withdrawing cyano‐ (o‐CN, 2c) and trifluoromethyl‐ (o‐CF3, 2d) substituents at the ortho‐position of the aromatic ring and 7‐(m‐substituted phenyl)‐2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone methide with an electron‐withdrawing trifluoromethyl‐ (m‐CF3, 2e) substituent at the meta‐position of the aromatic ring were synthesized, and their asymmetric anionic polymerizations using the complex of lithium 4‐isopropylphenoxide with (−)‐sparteine were carried out in toluene at 0 °C. The polymers with negative optical activity were obtained for all of five monomers, and their specific rotation values largely changed depending upon the substituents of the monomers. On the basis of the comparison of various substituents effects, it was found that the specific rotation of obtained polymers is significantly affected by the electronic effects such as inductive and resonance effects rather than the steric and electrostatic effects of the substituent. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1048–1058
Proteomic analysis of cell cycle arrest and differentiation induction caused by ATPR, a derivative of all‐trans retinoic acid, in human gastric cancer SGC‐7901 cells
Authors: Xia Quan , Zhao Yingli , Wang Jiali , Qiao Wenhao , Zhang Dongling , Yin Hao , Xu Dujuan , Chen Feihu
Published: February 2017

Purpose

4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethyl‐phenyl retinate (ATPR) was reported to potentially inhibit proliferation and induce differentiation activity in some tumor cells. In this study, a proteomics approach was used to investigate the possible mechanism by screening the differentially expressed protein profiles of SGC‐7901 cells before and after ATPR‐treatment in vitro.

Experimental design

Peptides digested from the total cellular proteins were analyzed by reverse phase LC–MS/MS followed by a label‐free quantification analysis. The SEQUEST search engine was used to identify proteins and bioinformatics resources were used to investigate the involved pathways for the differentially expressed proteins.

Results

Thirteen down‐regulated proteins were identified in the ATPR‐treated group. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the effects of ATPR on 14‐3‐3ε might potentially involve the PI3K‐AKT‐FOXO pathway and P27Kip1 expression. Western blot and RT‐PCR analysis showed that ATPR could inhibit AKT phosphorylation, up‐regulate the expression of FOXO1A and P27Kip1 at both the protein and mRNA levels, and down‐regulate the cytoplasmic expression of cyclin E and CDK2. ATPR‐induced G0/G1 phase arrest and differentiation can be ablated if the P27kip1 gene is silenced with sequence‐specific siRNA or in 14‐3‐3ε overexpression of SGC‐7901 cells.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

ATPR might cause cell cycle arrest and differentiation in SGC‐7901 cells by simultaneously inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT and down‐regulating 14‐3‐3ε. This change would then enhance the inhibition of cyclin E/CDK2 by up‐regulating FOXO1A and P27Kip1. Our findings could be of value for finding new drug targets and for developing more effective differentiation inducer.
Single‐molecule imaging reveals the translocation and DNA looping dynamics of hepatitis C virus NS3 helicase
Authors: Lin Chang‐Ting , Tritschler Felix , Lee Kyung Suk , Gu Meigang , Rice Charles M. , Ha Taekjip
Published: February 2017

Non‐structural protein 3 (NS3) is an essential enzyme and a therapeutic target of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Compared to NS3‐catalyzed nucleic acids unwinding, its translation on single stranded nucleic acids have received relatively little attention. To investigate the NS3h translocation with single‐stranded nucleic acids substrates directly, we have applied a hybrid platform of single‐molecule fluorescence detection combined with optical trapping. With the aid of mechanical manipulation and fluorescence localization, we probed the translocase activity of NS3h on laterally stretched, kilobase‐size single‐stranded DNA and RNA. We observed that the translocation rate of NS3h on ssDNA at a rate of 24.4 nucleotides per second, and NS3h translocates about three time faster on ssRNA, 74 nucleotides per second. The translocation speed was minimally affected by the applied force. A subpopulation of NS3h underwent a novel translocation mode on ssDNA where the stretched DNA shortened gradually and then recovers its original length abruptly before repeating the cycle repetitively. The speed of this mode of translocation was reduced with increasing force. With corroborating data from single‐molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) experiments, we proposed that NS3h can cause repetitive looping of DNA. The smFRET dwell time analysis showed similar translocation time between sole translocation mode versus repetitive looping mode, suggesting that the motor domain exhibits indistinguishable enzymatic activities between the two translocation modes. We propose a potential secondary nucleic acids binding site at NS3h which might function as an anchor point for translocation‐coupled looping.
Single molecule force spectroscopy reveals the effect of BiP chaperone on protein folding
Authors: Ramírez María Paz , Rivera Maira , Quiroga‐Roger Diego , Bustamante Andrés , Vega Marcela , Baez Mauricio , Puchner Elias M. , Wilson Christian A. M.
Published: February 2017

BiP (Immunoglobulin Binding Protein) is a member of the Hsp70 chaperones that participates in protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. The function of BiP relies on cycles of ATP hydrolysis driving the binding and release of its substrate proteins. It still remains unknown how BiP affects the protein folding pathway and there has been no direct demonstration showing which folding state of the substrate protein is bound by BiP, as previous work has used only peptides. Here, we employ optical tweezers for single molecule force spectroscopy experiments to investigate how BiP affects the folding mechanism of a complete protein and how this effect depends on nucleotides. Using the protein MJ0366 as the substrate for BiP, we performed pulling and relaxing cycles at constant velocity to unfold and refold the substrate. In the absence of BiP, MJ0366 unfolded and refolded in every cycle. However, when BiP was added, the frequency of folding events of MJ0366 significantly decreased, and the loss of folding always occurred after a successful unfolding event. This process was dependent on ATP and ADP, since when either ATP was decreased or ADP was added, the duration of periods without folding events increased. Our results show that the affinity of BiP for the substrate protein increased in these conditions, which correlates with previous studies in bulk. Therefore, we conclude that BiP binds to the unfolded state of MJ0366 and prevents its refolding, and that this effect is dependent on both the type and concentration of nucleotides.
Atmospheric tank failures: Mechanisms and an unexpected case study
Authors: Schmidt Michael S.
Published: February 2017

The literature on catastrophic failures of low‐pressure tanks focuses on the ignition of explosive mixtures in the vapor space of those tanks, and rightly so, because most catastrophic failures of atmospheric tanks involve explosions of such mixtures. Moreover, there is a general sense in the industry that other than explosions of flammable mixtures, the only other hazard associated with low‐pressure tanks is the occasional dramatic implosion of a vessel that is inadequately protected against vacuum.

In fact, there are a number of mechanisms that can lead to the catastrophic failure of a low‐pressure tank that have nothing to do with combustion or unprotected vacuum. Under certain circumstances, even a tank equipped with an atmospheric vent and containing nothing other than salt water can explode, with disastrous impacts.

This article reviews the mechanisms for catastrophic failure of low pressure tanks, both implosion and explosion, and serves as a reminder for experienced process safety practitioners and as a tutorial for new process safety practitioners of what to look for during a hazard review. It also includes a case study of an atmospheric caustic tank explosion that resulted from a previously unreported mechanism that involved neither combustion nor vacuum. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 36: 353–361, 2017
Maternal Inferential Input and Children's Language Skills
Authors: Tompkins Virginia , Bengochea Alain , Nicol Susanna , Justice Laura M.
Published: February 2017

Researchers have consistently found a link between the quality of early parent–child book‐reading interactions and children's language skill. Two aspects of quality (level of abstraction and utterance function) were examined simultaneously in the current study to further refine our understanding of how parents’ talk during shared reading predicts children's vocabulary growth and elicits children's participation in book reading. To achieve this aim, the authors examined mothers’ extratextual utterances while reading to their preschool children across a continuum of four levels of abstraction (two literal and two inferential) and in terms of utterance function (wh‐ question, yes/no question, and statement). In a sample of 49 mother–child dyads (mean child age = 4.47 years), the authors found that mothers’ inferential yes/no questions and statements predicted children's receptive vocabulary growth over six months, controlling for children's age, mothers’ education, and frequency of reading, and that mothers’ inferential wh‐ questions and literal utterances of all types were not predictive of children's vocabulary growth. Using sequential analysis, the authors also found significant contingencies between mothers’ utterances and children's responses during shared reading that were within the same level of abstraction across all utterance functions. These results are discussed in relation to prior work that has largely examined these two qualities of parent–child book interactions separately.
Concise Review: Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Functional Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Taking Cues from Chondrocyte-Based Constructs
Authors: Tan Andrea R. , Hung Clark T.
Published: February 2017

Osteoarthritis, the most prevalent form of joint disease, afflicts 9% of the U.S. population over the age of 30 and costs the economy nearly $100 billion annually in healthcare and socioeconomic costs. It is characterized by joint pain and dysfunction, though the pathophysiology remains largely unknown. Due to its avascular nature and limited cellularity, articular cartilage exhibits a poor intrinsic healing response following injury. As such, significant research efforts are aimed at producing engineered cartilage as a cell-based approach for articular cartilage repair. However, the knee joint is mechanically demanding, and during injury, also a milieu of harsh inflammatory agents. The unforgiving mechano-chemical environment requires tissue replacements that are capable of bearing such burdens. The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for cartilage tissue engineering has emerged as a promising cell source due to their ease of isolation, capacity to readily expand in culture, and ability to undergo lineage-specific differentiation into chondrocytes. However, to date, very few studies utilizing MSCs have successfully recapitulated the structural and functional properties of native cartilage, exposing the difficult process of uniformly differentiating stem cells into desired cell fates and maintaining the phenotype during in vitro culture and after in vivo implantation. To address these shortcomings, here, we present a concise review on modulating stem cell behavior, tissue development and function using well-developed techniques from chondrocyte-based cartilage tissue engineering.
Content‐adaptive steganalysis for color images
Authors: Liao Xin , Chen Guoyong , Yin Jiaojiao
Published: February 2017

Some steganography methods for gray‐scale image can be extended to true RGB color image by treating each of its three color channels as a gray‐scale image. In modern popular steganography, most embedding changes are highly concentrated on those complex textural regions with smaller embedding distortions. However, the existing steganalysis methods for color images directly extract steganalytic features from the whole image. In this paper, we propose a content‐adaptive steganalysis strategy for color images. The new strategy aims to extract spatial rich model features from each color channel and just extract color rich model features from the pixels that may have been modified. In order to locate those suspected pixels, we first calculate the embedding costs of each channel, and then a subset of pixels with smaller embedding costs is selected. Experimental results show that the proposed strategy performs better than the state‐of‐the‐art color image steganalysis method. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FeCoNi Alloy as Noble Metal‐Free Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER)
Authors: Saha Soumen , Ganguli Ashok K.
Published: February 2017

The development of efficient and durable noble metal‐free electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is highly desired in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) based water electrolysis and metal‐ air batteries but still remains a challenge. In this paper, we employ co‐precipitation method to prepare layered double hydroxides followed by calcination to synthesize nanoalloy catalyst, which was further characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM)and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. As a novel OER electrocatalyst, the FeCoNi alloy catalyst shows remarkable OER activity enhancement with an overpotential of only 400 mV and a low Tafel slope 72 mV dec−1. This work offers a unique paradigm for the synthesis of competitive electrocatalyst for OER with excellent durability under alkaline condition.
Carbon Based Nanomaterials for High Performance Optoelectrochemical Systems
Authors: Ayranci Rukiye , Başkaya Gaye , Güzel Merve , Bozkurt Sait , Şen Fatih , Ak Metin
Published: February 2017

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene are two significant carbon based nanomaterials which have extraordinary physicochemical properties, used in diverse fields of research. Recently, some actual studies were made to associate these carbon nanomaterials to produce CNT‐graphene hybrid with synergic effects of graphene and CNTs. Addressed herein, EDOT‐modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO), functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (f‐MWCNT) and hybrid material (rGO‐f‐MWCNT) have been prepared. Then, PEDOT‐modified composite films were synthesized via electrochemical polymerization to examine enhancing electrochemical properties of PEDOT and characterized by SEM, AFM analysis. As a conclusive finding, an improved stability, charge density, electrochromic switching kinetics and optical contrast of polymer composite films were observed on presence of nanocarbon materials in comparison to the control PEDOT film due to facile ion transport, high surface area.
Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Properties of Two Quaternary Selenite/Tellurite‐Nitrates with Formula of Bi(SeO3)(NO3) and Bi3(μ3‐OH)(TeO3)3(NO3)2
Authors: Song Jun‐Ling , Qian Cheng
Published: February 2017

Here, we report the preparation and characterization of two quaternary selenite/tellurite‐nitrates, namely, Bi(SeO3)(NO3) and Bi3(μ3‐OH)(TeO3)3(NO3)2 through a facile hydrothermal reaction. Bi(SeO3)(NO3) crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group C2/c (No.15), which features a 2D [Bi(SeO3)]∞ layer in the ab plane and NO3− anions are located between the neighboring [Bi(SeO3)]∞ layers. Bi3(μ3‐OH)(TeO3)3(NO3)2 crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric space group P‐62 m (No.189), which exhibits a rare bismuth‐oxo‐tellurite 1D tube that are separated by nitrate groups. This rare bismuth‐oxo‐tellurite 1D tube is formed by the interconnection of hexanuclear [Bi6(μ3‐OH)2O24] cage clusters and 1D chain of [Te3O10]∞. The nonlinear optical property of Bi3(μ3‐OH)(TeO3)3(NO3)2 has been studied and it produces a weak second harmonic generation (SHG) response that of 0.5×KDP (KH2PO4) due to the effect of the stereo‐active lone‐pairs on Bi3+ and Te4+ cations and π‐conjugated NO3 units in Bi3(μ3‐OH)(TeO3)3(NO3)2. IR, UV‐vis spectra and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for the two compounds were also measured.
Efficient Catalysis of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction from WS2(1−x)P2x Nanoribbons
Authors: Shifa Tofik Ahmed , Wang Fengmei , Liu Kaili , Cheng Zhongzhou , Xu Kai , Wang Zhenxing , Zhan Xueying , Jiang Chao , He Jun
Published: February 2017

The rational design of Earth abundant electrocatalysts for efficiently catalyzing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is believed to lead to the generation of carbon neutral energy carrier. Owing to their fascinating chemical and physical properties, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are widely studied for this purpose. Of particular note is that doping by foreign atom can bring the advent of electronic perturbation, which affects the intrinsic catalytic property. Hence, through doping, the catalytic activity of such materials could be boosted. A rational synthesis approach that enables phosphorous atom to be doped into WS2 without inducing phase impurity to form WS2(1−

x

)P2

x
nanoribbon (NRs) is herein reported. It is found that the WS2(1−

x

)P2

x
NRs exhibit considerably enhanced HER performance, requiring only −98 mV versus reversible hydrogen electrode to achieve a current density of −10 mA cm−2. Such a high performance can be attributed to the ease of H‐atom adsorption and desorption due to intrinsically tuned WS2, and partial formation of NRs, a morphology wherein the exposure of active edges is more pronounced. This finding can provide a fertile ground for subsequent works aiming at tuning intrinsic catalytic activity of TMDs.
Extracellular Vesicle-Shuttled mRNA in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Communication
Authors: Ragni Enrico , Banfi Federica , Barilani Mario , Cherubini Alessandro , Parazzi Valentina , Larghi Paola , Dolo Vincenza , Bollati Valentina , Lazzari Lorenza
Published: February 2017

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent cells able to differentiate into several cell types, hence providing cell reservoirs for therapeutic applications. The absence of detectable MSC homing at injury sites suggests that paracrine functions could, at least in part, be mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs); EVs are newly identified players that are studied mainly as predictive or diagnostic biomarkers. Together with their clinical interests, EVs have recently come to the fore for their role in cell-to-cell communication. In this context, we investigated gene-based communication mechanisms in EVs generated by bone marrow and umbilical cord blood MSC (BMMSC and CBMSC, respectively). Both MSC types released vesicles with similar physical properties, although CBMSC were able to secrete EVs with faster kinetics. A pattern of preferentially incorporated EV transcripts was detected with respect to random internalization from the cytosol, after a validated normalization procedure was established. In the paradigm where EVs act as bioeffectors educating target cells, we demonstrated that kidney tubular cells lacking IL-10 expression and exposed to BMMSC-EVs and CBMSC-EVs acquired the IL-10 mRNA, which was efficiently translated into the corresponding protein. These findings suggest that horizontal mRNA transfer through EVs is a new mechanism in the MSC restoring ability observed in vivo that is here further demonstrated in an in vitro rescue model after acute cisplatin injury of tubular cells.
Neuroprotective effects of extracellular DJ‐1 on reperfusion injury in SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: Han Jay , Luk Beryl , Lee Frank J.S.
Published: February 2017

Using an in vitro model of ischemic stroke we treated differentiated SH‐SY5Y cells to oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by a reperfusion period where normal growth conditions were restored. Cells undergoing OGD exhibited significant cell death as measure by propidium iodide staining. However, cells treated with exogenous extracellular DJ‐1 during reperfusion exhibited significant rescue from OGD‐induced cell death.
Greater sage‐grouse male lek counts relative to a wind energy development
Authors: Lebeau Chad W. , Beck Jeffrey L. , Johnson Gregory D. , Nielson Ryan M. , Holloran Matthew J. , Gerow Kenneth G. , McDonald Trent L.
Published: February 2017

Wind energy development is an emerging source of anthropogenic disturbance that could affect greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage‐grouse) populations. Our objective was to determine the response of male sage‐grouse attending leks (lek counts) to wind energy development using a before/after–control/treatment study design. We counted males attending each lek within control and treatment areas annually and analyzed peak numbers. We obtained lek count data from 5 treatment and 9 control leks over an 11‐year period. We estimated trends in lek counts pre‐ (2006–2008) and postdevelopment (2009–2016) using a generalized linear mixed negative binomial model. We considered time lags at which the effect of the wind energy development was realized by the male breeding population. Although all lek counts were apparently in decline prior to development and trends on the control and treatment area changed during postdevelopment, we found no negative differences in the relative trends in lek counts between control and treatment areas between pre‐ and postdevelopment periods. We detected a 56% drop in lek counts at treatment leks relative to control leks assuming the effect of the wind energy development was realized between 2010 and 2011 (i.e., 3 yr postdevelopment). Use of a posteriori power analysis estimated similar data sets would have 80% probability of detecting a 28% decrease in the rate of decline of lek counts at treatment leks relative to control leks after development. Our findings suggest males attending leks in close proximity to wind energy development may respond differently compared with leks in close proximity to other forms of anthropogenic features, adding to a growing body of literature regarding the potential effects of energy development on prairie grouse. We recommend additional research and an abundance of caution in designating buffer sizes <1.5 km to avoid measurable effects from wind energy development on males attending leks. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Singular solutions to the Riemann problem for a macroscopic production model
Authors: Sun Meina
Published: February 2017

This paper is devoted to the Riemann problem for the data‐fitted second‐order macroscopic production model when one of the Riemann initial data is at a vacuum state or at rest. The Riemann solutions are constructed completely by using the continuous method with respect to the initial data, which include some non‐classical waves such as the delta standing wave and the superposition of a shock wave and a contact discontinuity etc. In addition, an example is given to explain the wave interaction problem when the vacuum state is involved.
Ecological factors affecting wetland occupancy by breeding Anatidae in the southwestern mediterranean
Authors: Cherkaoui Sidi Imad , Selmi Slaheddine , Hanane Saâd
Published: February 2017

Conservation of Anatidae in North Africa is hindered by lack of information concerning population size, population trends, and species‐habitat relationships. In this work, we used a 2‐year survey data in 25 wetlands distributed throughout Morocco to model duck spatial distribution and to assess the relevance of a set of environmental and anthropogenic factors in predicting site occupancy, by means of Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM). Mallards and Ferruginous ducks were the most commonly detected species, whereas White‐Headed Ducks and Common Pochards were the least detected ones. An inter‐annual variation in site occupancy was recorded for Ruddy Shelducks, Red‐Crested Pochards and White‐Headed Ducks. Geographical location (measured mainly as distance to the coastline and altitude) was the major predictor of the occurrence probability of Ruddy Shelducks, Marbled Teals and Red‐Crested Pochards, while human presence and habitat features were the most relevant factors in shaping Mallard's distribution. However, none of the considered environmental and anthropogenic factors explained the distribution patterns of the Ferruginous Duck, Common Pochard and Gadwall. The results of this study clearly show that there are still gaps in our knowledge on factors driving wetland occupancy by breeding Anatidae in Morocco. The pursuit of the investigations, while considering other explanatory factors such as water quality (limnological data), diet, predation, and conservation status, is of great importance to more profoundly understand the dynamics of Moroccan duck populations.
Surface Rheological Properties of Hydrophobically Modified Polyacrylamide and Imidazolium Surfactant Systems
Authors: Zhou Ting , Yuan Jing , Chen Yijian , Xin Xia , Tan Yebang , Xu Guiying
Published: February 2017

The dilational rheological properties of hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide (HMPAM) or hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) solutions without and with imidazolium surfactants ([C14‐4‐C14im]Br2 and [C14mim]Br) at the air/water surface were investigated using oscillating bubble measurements. The results obtained suggest that imidazolium surfactants interact with the polymer on the surface, enhancing the dilational viscoelasticity of surface film. The dilational modulus value of [C14‐4‐C14im]Br2/HMPAM is higher than that of the [C14mim]Br/HMPAM system at low polymer concentration, confirming that [C14‐4‐C14im]Br2 with two head groups and two hydrophobic chains can combine with a polymer to form a strong film on the surface. Moreover, imidazolium surfactants have stronger hydrophobic interaction with HMPAM chains than those of HPAM, thus enhancing the surface film strength for a surfactant/HMPAM system. The surface interaction mechanism between polyacrylamide and imidazolium surfactant is proposed to result from the electrostatic interactions and the hydrophobic effect.
A hospital based cross sectional study on comorbid psychiatric problems in persons with epilepsy from north eastern part of India
Authors: Rehman Sajjadur , Kalita Kamal , Baruah Aparajeeta
Published: February 2017

Context The relationship between epilepsy and psychiatric disorders has been recognized for a long time. Psychiatric disturbances like depression, anxiety disorder, psychosis, panic disorder, suicidal behavior etc are associated with epilepsy. Different demographic and clinical factors are associated with the onset of these psychiatric disturbances.

Aims To study the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in persons with epilepsy. Also assess the different demographic and clinical factors and its relation with the presence of psychiatric comorbidity in persons with epilepsy.

Settings and design It was a cross sectional observational study.

Methods and material Diagnosed cases of epilepsy, attending Epilepsy Clinic, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Patients were evaluated with Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to see their psychiatric comorbidities and also the socio-demographic and clinical factors were assessed

Statistical analysis used SPSS version 23.0 for Windows and Graph Pad InStat software trial version 3.1 was used for analysis.

Results Psychiatric comorbidity was seen in 50% subjects with comorbid with epilepsy. Depression 18%, Psychosis 14% and Anxiety Disorders 11%, were the most commonly found psychiatric morbidities. Presence of partial seizures, frequent seizures, long duration of epilepsy and poor compliance to antiepileptic drug were significantly associated with presence of psychiatric comorbidity in persons with epilepsy.

Conclusions Psychiatric comorbidities are very common in epilepsy. Psychosis associated with epilepsy is seen more in hospital settings. Depression and anxiety though commonly reported in studies are less commonly presented to tertiary care settings.
Analysis of prismatic springs of non-circular coil shape and non-prismatic springs of circular coil shape by analytical and finite element methods
Authors: Chaudhury Arkadeep Narayan , Datta Debasis
Published: February 2017

This paper presents a methodology for designing prismatic springs of non-circular coil shape and non-prismatic springs of circular coil shape using analytical and numerical methods. To start with, simple analytical formulations for obtaining the axial deformation of the springs under axial load have been demonstrated. Next, the processes of obtaining CAD models of the springs and their subsequent finite element analysis (FEA) in commercial softwares have been outlined. In the third part, the different springs have been compared with a common cylindrical spring and their merits compared to a common spring have been demonstrated. Next, a fairly accurate analytical formulation (with maximum error of ∼7–8%) for obtaining the value and location of maximum shear stress for all the springs has been demonstrated. Next, two aspects of non-prismatic springs under dynamic loads, viz. damping introduced in a vibrating system and contribution of the spring to the equivalent mass in a one dimensional vibrating spring mass system due to shape of the spring have been discussed. The last part involves an analytical formulation for the linear elastic buckling of two springs with circular coil shapes. For the majority of the work, emphasis has been on obtaining and using closed form analytical expressions for different quantities while numerical techniques such as FEA have been used for validation of the same.

Highlights Analytical formulations of axial deflection different springs under axial load. CAD modeling and FEA of prismatic and non prismatic springs of different coil shapes. Comparison of stress and deflection in mass-equivalent springs of different geometry. Approx. analytical formulation for the location and value of max. stress in springs. Effects of spring shape on damping, vibrational properties in 1D systems and buckling.
Estimates for solutions of nonlinear variational inequalities
Authors: Posteraro M.R.
Published: February 2017

We prove a pointwise estimate for the solution

u

of a nonlinear variational inequality in terms of a function which is solution of a suitable variational inequality with spherically symmetric data. Using this result a lower bound for the measure of the set

\{x : u(x) = 0\}

and
a priori
estimates for the

L^p

-norm and the

W_{0}^{1,p}

-norm of

u

are obtained. An existence result is also given.

On démontre une estimation ponctuelle pour la solution

u

d’une inéquation variationnelle non linéaire en fonction de la solution d’une inéquation variationnelle opportune dont les données sont à symétrie sphérique. En utilisant ce résultat on obtient une borne inférieure de la mesure de l’ensemble

\{x : u(x) = 0\}

et une estimation
a priori
des normes

L^p

et

W_{0}^{1,p}

de

u

. De plus est donné un résultat d’existence.
Solutions of Ginzburg–Landau equations and critical points of the renormalized energy
Authors: Lin Fang Hua
Published: February 2017

Here we establish some connection between solutions of Ginzburg–Landau equations and critical points of the renormalized energy

W_g

introduced in the recent works of Bethuel–Brezis and Helein. In particular, local nondegenerate minimums of

W_g

have their associated solutions of GL-equations.

On établit une relation entre Ies solutions de l’équation de Ginzburg–Landau et les points critiques de l’énergie renormalisée

W_g

introduite dans Ies travaux récents de Bethuel–Brezis et Helein. En particulier, tout minimum local non dégénéré de

W_g

est associé à une famille de solutions des équations de G-L.
Regularity of solutions for some problems of mathematical physics
Authors: Koshelev A.
Published: February 2017

Coercivity estimates of solutions for some problems of mathematical physics including parabolic and Stokes systems are obtained.
Normal form and global solutions for the Klein-Gordon-Zakharov equations
Authors: Ozawa T. , Tsutaya K. , Tsutsumi Y.
Published: February 2017

In this paper we study the global existence and asymptotic behavior of solutions for the Cauchy problem of the Klein–Gordon–Zakharov equations in three space dimensions. We prove that for small initial data, there exist the unique global solutions of the Klein–Gordon–Zakharov equations. We also show that these solutions approach asymptotically the free solutions as

t → ∞

. Our proof is based on the method of normal forms introduced by Shatah [12], which transforms the original system with quadratic nonlinearity into a new system with cubic nonlinearity.

Dans cet article, nous étudions l’existence globale et le comportement asymptotique de solutions pour le problème de Cauchy des équations de Klein–Gordon–Zakharov en trois dimensions. Nous montrons que pour des petites données initiales, il existe les solutions globales uniques des équations de Klein–Gordon–Zakharov. Nous montrons aussi que ces solutions approchent des solutions libres asymptotiquement lorsque

t → ∞

. Notre preuve est basée sur la méthode de formes normales introduite par Shatah [12], qui transforme le système original avec non-linéarité quadratique en un système neuf avec non-linéarité cubique.
Vortices for a variational problem related to superconductivity
Authors: Bethuel Fabrice , Rivière Trista
Published: February 2017

We study minimizers of Ginzburg–Landau functional, which depend on a parameter

ϵ

. These functional appear in superconductivity and two dimensional abelian Higgs models. We study the asymptotic limit, as

ϵ → 0

, of minimizers and show that the limiting configuration has vortices, which have topological degree one.

Nous étudions les applications minimisantes de la fonctionnelle de Ginzburg–Landau dépendant d’un paramètre

ϵ

. Cette fonctionnelle intervient dans les problèmes de supraconductivité ainsi que dans le modèle abélien de Higgs en dimension deux. Plus particulièrement, nous étudions le comportement asymptotique de ces applications minimisantes lorsque

ϵ

tend vers

0

et nous montrons que la configuration limite a des tourbillons de degré

1

.
Unicité et minimalité des solutions d’une équation de Ginzburg-Landau
Authors: Carbou Gilles
Published: February 2017

We study the solutions of the equation

−∆u + u(u^2 − 1) = 0

where

u

is in

H_{loc}^{1}\:(ℝ^{n})

. We prove that the map

f\left(x_{1},…,x_{n}\right) = th\:\left(\frac{x_{1}}{\sqrt{2}}\right)

is a minimizing solution in the class of functions which converge to

−1

when

x_1

goes to

−∞

and to

+1

when

x_1

goes to

+∞

. Furthermore we show that any solution of the equation which converges to

1

when

|x|

goes to

+∞

is constant equal to

1

on

ℝ^n

.

On étudie les solutions de l’équation

−∆u + u(u^2 − 1) = 0

, où

u

est élément de

H_{\mathrm{loc}}^{1}\:(ℝ^{n})

. On montre que la solution

f\left(x_{1},…,x_{n}\right) = th\:\left(\frac{x_{1}}{\sqrt{2}}\right)

minimise l’énergie parmi les fonctions tendant vers

−1

lorsque

x_1

tend vers

−∞

et vers

+1

lorsque

x_1

tend vers

+∞

. De plus, on prouve que toute solution de l’équation qui tend vers

1

lorsque

|x|

tend vers

+∞

est constante égale à

1

sur

ℝ^n

.
Microscopic structure of shocks in one conservation laws
Authors: Rezakhanlou Fraydoun
Published: February 2017

We show that in one conservation laws, the disturbances are propagated along the characteristic lines and shocks. We use this to investigate the macroscopic behavior of the second class particles in stochastic models such as asymmetric simple exclusion and zero range processes, in one space dimension. We show that a second class particle will follow the characteristic lines and shocks of the hydrodynamic equation.
Asymptotic behaviour of solutions and their derivatives, for semilinear elliptic problems with blowup on the boundary
Authors: Bandle Catherine , Marcus Moshe
Published: February 2017

By means of comparison functions the asymptotic behaviour of solutions of semilinear elliptic equations which blow up at the boundary is established. The results depend only on the principal part of the second order operator and can be expressed in a simple way in terms of the associated Riemannian metric. In order to discuss the asymptotic behaviour of the derivatives a blowup technique together with a scaling argument is used.

On utilise des fonctions de comparaison afin d’établir Ie comportement asymptotique des solutions de problèmes elliptiques semilinéaires qui explosent au bord. Les résultats s’expriment de manière simple à l’aide de Ia métrique de Riemann associée à cet opérateur. L’étude des dérivées repose sur une technique de blowup et utilise une invariance de groupe des solutions.
Homoclinic and period-doubling bifurcations for damped systems
Authors: Bessi Ugo
Published: February 2017

We consider the following problem

\tag{$P^\alpha$}
\begin{cases}
ü= −V'(u,t)−\alpha \.{u} \\
u(−∞) = \.{u}(−∞) = 0 = u(∞) = \.{u}(∞)
\end{cases}

where

V\in C^2 (\mathbf R^n × \mathbf R, \mathbf R)

is one-periodic in time and behaves roughly like

V(x,t) \simeq −\frac{1}{2}\left|x\right|^{2} + \left|x\right|^{\mu }

for some

μ > 2

. It has been shown in [6] that

0 \in \mathbf R^{2n}

is a hyperbolic fixed point for

\Phi_α

, the step-1 map associated to equation (

P^α

), and that

\Phi_0

has points homoclinic to 0,
i.e.
(

P^0

) has a solution not identically 0. We will show that, if the solutions of (

P^0

) are isolated in

H^1 (\mathbf R , \mathbf R^n)

, then

\Phi_α

has positive topological entropy for

α\in [0, \bar α]

for some

\bar α > 0

. Moreover, we will follow a branch of solutions of (

P^α

) as

α

varies in

\mathbf R^+

up to an homoclinic tangency and show the existence of an infinite cascade of period-doubling bifurcations near this tangency.

Nous considérons le problème suivant

\tag{$P^\alpha$}
\begin{cases}
ü= −V'(u,t)−\alpha \.{u} \\
u(−∞) = \.{u}(−∞) = 0 = u(∞) = \.{u}(∞)
\end{cases}

où

V\in C*2 (\mathbf R^n × \mathbf R, \mathbf R)

est périodique en temps de période 1 et se comporte comme

V\left(x,t\right) = \simeq −\frac{1}{2}\left|x\right|^{2} + \left|x\right|^{\mu }

, avec

μ > 2

. Il a été montré dans [6] que

0 in \mathbf R^{2n}

est un point fixe hyperbolique pour

\Phi_α

, l’application de temps 1 associée à l’équation (

P^α

), et que

\Phi_0

des points homoclines à 0,
i.e.
que

P^0

a une solution non identiquement nulle. Nous prouvons que, si les solutions de (

P^0

) sont isolées dans

H^1 (\mathbf R, \mathbf R^n)

, alors

\Phi_0

a une entropie topologique positive si

α\in [0, \bar α]

avec

\bar α > 0

. De plus, nous suivons une branche de solutions de (

P^α

) quand

α

varie dans

\mathbf R^+

jusqu’à une tangente homocline et nous prouvons l’existence d’une cascade infinie de bifurcations avec doublement de périodes près de cette tangente.
Famous Last Words: Caesar’s Prophecy on the Ides of March
Authors: Ziogas Ioannis
Published: February 2017

Shakespeare’s Et tu, Brute has been influential in shaping a tradition that interprets Caesar’s last words as an expression of shock at Brutus’ betrayal. Yet this interpretation is not suggested in the ancient sources that attest the tag καὶ σύ, τέκνον (‘you too, son’). This article argues that Caesar’s dictum evokes a formula of funerary epigrams, which refers to death as the common lot of all mortals. The epitaphic connotations of καὶ σύ or tu quoque feature in epic poetry, a connection that lends a Homeric dimension to Caesar’s last words. The dictator’s oral epitaph predicts the death of Brutus as a consequence of his involvement in the assassination. It means ‘You too, son, will die’. The Greco-Roman belief that a dying man can foresee the future invests Caesar’s last words with prophetic authority.