bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conducting Organic Polymer Electrodes with Embedded Polyoxometalate Catalysts for Water Splitting
Authors: Blasco‐Ahicart Marta , Soriano‐López Joaquin , Galán‐Mascarós Jose Ramon
Published: August 2017

Polyoxometalates (POMs) from earth‐abundant metals are promising electrocatalysts to promote the oxygen evolution reaction in a green process to obtain hydrogen from water and a renewable energy source. Taking advantage of their high anionic charge, we have incorporated a cobalt‐based POM as dopant into an organic conducting polymer matrix (polypyrrole). This heterostructure combines the catalytic water oxidation features from the POM, together with the unique processability of polypyrrole. We have optimized the electrocatalytic performance by studying the effect of several parameters, such as the POM content, film thickness, counter anions, and so forth. It is remarkable that less than 6 % POM content in a polypyrrole film multiplies oxygen evolution reaction currents by one order of magnitude, reducing the required overpotentials by approximately 200 mV. Despite the moderate efficiency (ca. 65 %), this strategy, being based on inexpensive and readily available raw materials, may be useful for the preparation of water splitting anodes that can be adapted to any surface, geometry, or support.
Mouse Models of Acinetobacter baumannii Infection
Authors: Harris Greg , KuoLee Rhonda , Xu H. Howard , Chen Wangxue
Published: August 2017

This unit describes basic protocols for infecting mice through intranasal and intraperitoneal routes with Acinetobacter baumannii to induce associated pneumonia and sepsis, the two most common manifestations of clinical infections with this pathogen. By selecting the appropriate protocols and bacterial strains of different virulence, these mouse models provide an opportunity to study the infection pathogenesis and host‐immune responses, and to evaluate the efficacies of prophylactic and therapeutic anti‐A. baumannii candidates. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Bismuth Nanoparticles@Porous Silicon Nanostructure, Application as a Selective and Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor for the Determination of Thioridazine
Authors: Ensafi Aliasghar , Hedayati Pardis , Abarghoui Mehdi Mokhtari , Rezaei Behzad
Published: August 2017

A bismuth@porous silicon (Bi/PSi) nanostructure is fabricated and used as a new highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for measurement of thioridazine. For this purpose, commercial silicon powder is converted to porous silicon using metal‐assisted chemical etching method. Then, bismuth nanoparticles are deposited on the surface of the porous silicon that synthesized in the previous step. The effects of pH and instrumental parameters are studied on the sensor response. After optimization of the parameters, differential pulse voltammetry is used to determine sub‐micro molar amounts of thioridazine. The Linear region of the electrochemical sensor is in the range of 0.1 to 260 μmol L−1 thioridazine with a detection limit of 0.03 μmol L−1, when Bi/PSi/CNTPE is used as an electrochemical sensor. The precision and accuracy of the sensor is evaluated. The Bi/PSi/CNTPE is used as an appropriated tool for accurate measurement of low amounts of thioridazine in real samples with satisfactory results.
The underground water systems of Ma'abarta—Flavia Neapolis, Israel
Authors: Frumkin Amos
Published: August 2017

The Roman city Flavia Neapolis (Hebrew—Shechem; Arabic—Nablus) and its predecessor Hellenistic Ma'abarta, is a continuously active city, located close to Israel's water divide. The city prospered due to water abundance from local springs, associated with its setting along the natural outlet of the karstic aquifer of Mt. Gerizim, the holy site of the Samaritans. Complicated tunnel systems were constructed for water distribution and consumption during the Hellenistic‐Roman periods. The subterranean systems of the major springs within the city, Ras el 'Ein, 'Ein Qaryun, and 'Ein Dafna, as well as the main tunnel running along the city include rock‐hewn tunnels for groundwater collection, and masonry‐built tunnels for the distribution of spring water to the city by gravitation, and for drainage. Architectural features and structures below the Roman city indicate that some tunnels had already been constructed during the preceding Hellenistic period. A potential cultic element of the urban hydrographic system can be inferred from the elaborate entrance structures of the large springs, Ras el 'Ein and 'Ein Qaryun, as well as from historic accounts. Documentary references to the subterranean water system indicate that its existence may date as far back as 2000 years ago.
Optically derived metabolic and hemodynamic parameters predict hippocampal neurogenesis in the BTBR mouse model of autism
Authors: Abookasis David , Lerman Danit , Roth Hava , Tfilin Matanel , Turgeman Gadi
Published: August 2017

In this study, we made use of dual‐wavelength laser speckle imaging (DW‐LSI) to assess cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the BTBR‐genetic mouse model of autism spectrum disorder, as well as control (C57Bl/6J) mice. Since the deficits in social behavior demonstrated by BTBR mice are attributed to changes in neural tissue structure and function, we postulated that these changes can be detected optically using DW‐LSI. BTBR mice demonstrated reductions in both CBF and cerebral oxygen metabolism (CMRO2), as suggested by studies using conventional neuroimaging technologies to reflect impaired neuronal activation and cognitive function. To validate the monitoring of CBF by DW‐LSI, measurements with laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) were also performed which confirmed the lowered CBF in the autistic‐like group. Furthermore, we found in vivo cortical CBF measurements to predict the rate of hippocampal neurogenesis, measured ex vivo by the number of neurons expressing doublecortin or the cellular proliferation marker Ki‐67 in the dentate gyrus, with a strong positive correlation between CBF and neurogenesis markers (Pearson, r = 0.78; 0.9, respectively). These novel findings identifying cortical CBF as a predictive parameter of hippocampal neurogenesis highlight the power and flexibility of the DW‐LSI and LDF setups for studying neurogenesis trends under normal and pathological conditions.
Wide‐field color imaging of scatter‐based tissue contrast using both high spatial frequency illumination and cross‐polarization gating
Authors: Carlson Mackenzie L. , McClatchy David M. , Gunn Jason R. , Elliott Jonathan T. , Paulsen Keith D. , Kanick Stephen C. , Pogue Brian W.
Published: August 2017

This study characterizes the scatter‐specific tissue contrast that can be obtained by high spatial frequency (HSF) domain imaging and cross‐polarization (CP) imaging, using a standard color imaging system, and how combining them may be beneficial. Both HSF and CP approaches are known to modulate the sensitivity of epi‐illumination reflectance images between diffuse multiply scattered and superficially backscattered photons, providing enhanced contrast from microstructure and composition than what is achieved by standard wide‐field imaging. Measurements in tissue‐simulating optical phantoms show that CP imaging returns localized assessments of both scattering and absorption effects, while HSF has uniquely specific sensitivity to scatter‐only contrast, with a strong suppression of visible contrast from blood. The combination of CP and HSF imaging provided an expanded sensitivity to scatter compared with CP imaging, while rejecting specular reflections detected by HSF imaging. ex vivo imaging of an atlas of dissected rodent organs/tissues demonstrated the scatter‐based contrast achieved with HSF, CP and HSF‐CP imaging, with the white light spectral signal returned by each approach translated to a color image for intuitive encoding of scatter‐based contrast within images of tissue. The results suggest that visible CP‐HSF imaging could have the potential to aid diagnostic imaging of lesions in skin or mucosal tissues and organs, where just CP is currently the standard practice imaging modality.
Amide proton transfer‐weighted imaging to differentiate malignant from benign pulmonary lesions: Comparison with diffusion‐weighted imaging and FDG‐PET/CT
Authors: Ohno Yoshiharu , Kishida Yuji , Seki Shinichiro , Yui Masao , Miyazaki Mitsue , Koyama Hisanobu , Yoshikawa Takeshi
Published: August 2017

Purpose

To compare the capability of amide proton transfer‐weighted (APTw) imaging, diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), and FDG‐PET/CT for the differentiation of malignant from benign pulmonary nodules.

Materials and Methods

In all, 82 consecutive patients with pulmonary nodules underwent APTw imaging and DWI with a 3T system, and FDG‐PET/CT. All nodules were divided as either malignant (n = 49) or benign (n = 39) groups based on pathological and follow‐up examinations. To evaluate the capability for differentiation of malignant from benign nodules, magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym)(3.5ppm) on APTw imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and maximum value of standard uptake value (SUVmax) were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to computationally determine each feasible threshold value. Next, McNemar's test was used for comparing diagnostic performance with each other as well as with a combination of the significant factors determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Although sensitivity of ADC was significantly higher than that of MTRasym(3.5 ppm) (P = 0.002) and SUVmax (P = 0.004), specificity of MTRasym(3.5 ppm) and SUVmax was significantly higher than that of ADC (P < 0.05). Sensitivity of combined MTRasym(3.5ppm) with SUVmax was significantly higher than that of MTRasym(3.5ppm) (P = 0.001) and SUVmax (P = 0.002) alone. Moreover, specificity and accuracy of combined MTRasym(3.5ppm) with SUVmax were significantly higher than that of ADC (specificity: P = 0.002, accuracy: P = 0.008).

Conclusion

APTw imaging appears to be as useful as DWI and FDG‐PET/CT for differentiation of malignant from benign nodules.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1013–1021.
Phosphorus in agricultural constructed wetland sediment is sparingly plant‐available
Authors: Laakso Johanna , Uusitalo Risto , Heikkinen Janne , Yli-Halla Markku
Published: August 2017

Agricultural constructed wetlands (CWs) are intended to retain sediment and phosphorus (P) carried off with runoff and drainage water. The accumulated sediment, with adsorbed P, is often advised to be recycled to agricultural land, but little is known about the fertilizer value of sediment‐associated P. This study examined the effects on P adsorption characteristics and P plant availability of mixing CW sediment into soil. Although the total P content in the sediment was approximately equal to that in catchment soil and the NaOH‐extractable P content was higher to that in catchment soil, in adsorption‐desorption tests sediment P solubility decreased and affinity for P increased with increasing addition rate of CW sediment to soil. Already the lowest sediment addition rate (12.5% of dry weight) decreased the equilibrium P concentration (EPC0') by 60% on average compared to unamended catchment soil. In a greenhouse pot experiment, Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorumL.) yield was largely unaffected by CW sediment application, but P uptake systematically decreased when the rate of sediment application to soil increased. When 12.5% dry weight of sediment was added, plant P uptake decreased by 6–50% in P‐unfertilized pots and by 6–17% in P‐fertilized pots (150 mg P kg−1) compared with P uptake of ryegrass grown in unamended field soil. Our other results suggest that the plant availability of P in CW sediments is very low due to high clay content and high concentrations of aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe) (hydr)oxides in the sediment. Thus, if applied to agricultural fields in large quantities, dredged CW sediment may impair crop P supply.
Genomic insights into the pathogenicity and environmental adaptability of Enterococcus hirae R17 isolated from pork offered for retail sale
Authors: Peng Zixin , Li Menghan , Wang Wei , Liu Hongtao , Fanning Séamus , Hu Yujie , Zhang Jianzhong , Li Fengqin
Published: August 2017

Genetic information about Enterococcus hirae is limited, a feature that has compromised our understanding of these clinically challenging bacteria. In this study, comparative analysis was performed of E. hirae R17, a daptomycin‐resistant strain isolated from pork purchased from a retail market in Beijing, China, and three other enterococcal genomes (Enterococcus faecium DO, Enterococcus faecalis V583, and E. hirae ATCC™9790). Some 1,412 genes were identified that represented the core genome together with an additional 139 genes that were specific to E. hirae R17. The functions of these R17 strain‐specific coding sequences relate to the COGs categories of carbohydrate transport and metabolism and transcription, a finding that suggests the carbohydrate utilization capacity of E. hirae R17 may be more extensive when compared with the other three bacterial species (spp.). Analysis of genomic islands and virulence genes highlighted the potential that horizontal gene transfer played as a contributor of variations in pathogenicity in this isolate. Drug‐resistance gene prediction and antibiotic susceptibility testing indicated E. hirae R17 was resistant to several antimicrobial compounds, including bacitracin, ciprofloxacin, daptomycin, erythromycin, and tetracycline, thereby limiting chemotherapeutic treatment options. Further, tolerance to biocides and metals may confer a phenotype that facilitates the survival and adaptation of this isolate against food preservatives, disinfectants, and antibacterial coatings. The genomic plasticity, mediated by IS elements, transposases, and tandem repeats, identified in the E. hirae R17 genome may support adaptation to new environmental niches, such as those that are found in hospitalized patients. A predicted transmissible plasmid, pRZ1, was found to carry several antimicrobial determinants, along with some predicted pathogenic genes. These data supported the previously determined phenotype confirming that the foodborne E. hirae R17 is a multidrug‐resistant pathogenic bacterium with evident genome plasticity and environmental adaptability.
Estimating model error covariances using particle filters
Authors: Zhu Mengbin , van Leeuwen Peter J. , Zhang Weimin
Published: August 2017

A method is presented for estimating the error covariance of the errors in the model equations in observation space. Estimating model errors in this systematic way opens up the possibility to use data assimilation for systematic model improvement at the level of the model equations, which would be a huge step forward. This model error covariance is perhaps the hardest covariance matrix to estimate. It represents how the missing physics and errors in parametrizations manifest themselves at the scales the model can resolve.

A new element is that we use an efficient particle filter to avoid the need to estimate the error covariance of the state as well, which most other data assimilation methods do require. Starting from a reasonable first estimate, the method generates new estimates iteratively during the data assimilation run, and the method is shown to converge to the correct model error matrix. We also investigate the influence of the accuracy of the observation error covariance on the estimation of the model error covariance and show that, when the observation errors are known, the model error covariance can be estimated well, but, as expected and perhaps unavoidably, the diagonal elements are estimated too low when the observation errors are estimated too high, and vice versa.
The genetic encoded toolbox for electron microscopy and connectomics
Authors: Shigemoto Ryuichi , Joesch Maximilian
Published: August 2017

Developments in bioengineering and molecular biology have introduced a palette of genetically encoded probes for identification of specific cell populations in electron microscopy. These probes can be targeted to distinct cellular compartments, rendering them electron dense through a subsequent chemical reaction. These electron densities strongly increase the local contrast in samples prepared for electron microscopy, allowing three major advances in ultrastructural mapping of circuits: genetic identification of circuit components, targeted imaging of regions of interest and automated analysis of the tagged circuits. Together, the gains from these advances can decrease the time required for the analysis of targeted circuit motifs by over two orders of magnitude. These genetic encoded tags for electron microscopy promise to simplify the analysis of circuit motifs and become a central tool for structure‐function studies of synaptic connections in the brain. We review the current state‐of‐the‐art with an emphasis on connectomics, the quantitative analysis of neuronal structures and motifs. WIREs Dev Biol 2017, 6:e288. doi: 10.1002/wdev.288

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Analysis of Cell, Tissue, and Animal Phenotypes
Zinc and Cadmium Diphenate Coordination Polymers with Conformationally Flexible Dipyridylamide Ligands
Authors: Martinez Brianna L. , LaDuca Robert L.
Published: August 2017

Zinc and cadmium diphenate (dip, biphenyl‐2,2′‐dicarboxylate) coordination polymers containing conformationally flexible dipyridylamide ligands show diverse chain and layer topologies as determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. [Cd(dipH)2(bdin)]n (1) [bdin = N,N′‐(butane‐1,3‐diyl)diisonicotinamide] shows a simple 1D zigzag chain structure. {[Cd(dip)(pdin)(H2O)]·1.25H2O}n (2) [pdin = N,N′‐(propane‐1,3‐diyl)diisonicotinamide] shows bilayer slabs formed by interleaving of (4,4) rectangular grid layers. {[Zn2(dip)2(3‐pna)2]·3H2O}n (3) (3‐pna = 3‐pyridylnicotinamide) manifests a rare 4‐connected 1D ribbon topology. {[Cd(dip)(4‐ppbp)]·2H2O}n (4) [4‐ppbp = propane‐1,3‐diylbis(piperidine‐4,1‐diyl)bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethanone)] shows a 3,5‐connected layer with (426)(42678) 3,5L2 topology. {[Zn4(dip)4(H2O)2(4‐ppbp)2]·12H2O}n (5) exhibits 2D 3,6‐connected layers with (43)2(466683) kgd topology featuring embedded R(8)A(2) classification 10‐membered water clusters. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 undergo violet or blue‐violet fluorescence upon ultraviolet irradiation. Thermal decomposition behavior of the new phases is also discussed.
CENTERED ON THE WETLANDS: INTEGRATING NEW PHYTOLITH EVIDENCE OF PLANT-USE FROM THE 23,000-YEAR-OLD SITE OF OHALO II, ISRAEL
Authors: Ramsey Monica N. , Rosen Arlene M. , Nadel Dani
Published: August 2017

Epipaleolithic hunter-gatherers are often interpreted as playing an important role in the development of early cereal cultivation and subsequent farming economies in the Levant. This focus has come at the expense of understanding these people as resilient foragers who exploited a range of changing micro habitats through the Last Glacial Maximum. New phytolith data from Ohalo II seek to redress this. Ohalo II has the most comprehensive and important macrobotanical assemblage in Southwest Asia for the entire Epipaleolithic period. Here we present a phytolith investigation of 28 sediment samples to make three key contributions. First, by comparing the phytolith assemblage to a sample of the macrobotanical assemblage, we provide a baseline to help inform the interpretation of phytolith assemblages at other sites in Southwest Asia. Second, we highlight patterns of plant use at the site. We identify the importance of wetland plant resources to hut construction and provide evidence that supports previous work suggesting that grass and cereal processing may have been a largely “indoor” activity. Finally, drawing on ethnographic data from the American Great Basin, we reevaluate the significance of wetland plant resources for Epipaleolithic hunter-gatherers and argue that the wetland-centered lifeway at Ohalo II represents a wider Levantine adaptive strategy.
Transforming the Rocks – Time and Rock Art in Bohuslän, Sweden
Authors: Horn Christian , Potter Rich
Published: August 2017

Human representations are one of the most important groups of depictions in rock art in southern Scandinavia. These humans have long been discussed as complete, stable, and temporally-fixed images. The results of a new survey challenge this view. Recording rock art with Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) enabled us to discern a possible sequence of production of individual human representations, their bodily features, and associated objects. Figures from a rock art site in Finntorp (Tanum, Sweden) will be used as an example. Differences in the dimensions of the engraved lines, the chronology of the depicted objects, and the placement of body parts suggest that several individuals may have been involved in making human representations on the rocks, and that their appearance as complete figures is the result of repeated transformations. The results presented demonstrate that Scandinavian rock art is not stable in time. We suggest that rock art is best understood as the creation of communities over time, which enables them to engage with the past by transforming the rocks.
Tales of accountability: a Q-method study of discourses amongst Tanzanian members of parliament
Authors: Katomero Jesper , Hoppe Robert , Wesselink Anna
Published: August 2017

The hallmark of accountability in a democracy centres on the way the elected parliament holds the executive to account. If the parliament does not perform its oversight role effectively, lower authorities would have fewer incentives to do the same vis-à-vis local executives. In this article we therefore ask whether or not different meanings of accountability can be discerned amongst Tanzanian Members of Parliament (MPs). In our Q-method research we found four clearly identifiable discourses on accountability amongst Tanzanian MPs:Partycrats;My Electorate's Advocates;Frustrated Account Holders; andPragmatic Account Holders.We understand MPs discourses within the broader context of political clientelism and we argue that this combination of discourses, or accountability culture, enables the executive to rule in semi-autocratic ways. Even if opposition parties would obtain a parliamentary majority, this accountability culture stands in the way of achieving greater democratic responsiveness.
‘My land is worth a million dollars’: How Japanese Canadians contested their dispossession in the 1940s
Authors: Stanger-Ross Jordan , Blomley Nicholas ,   The Landscapes of Injustice Research Collective
Published: August 2017

On July 31, 1944, Rikizo Yoneyama, a former resident of Haney, British Columbia, an agricultural area east of Vancouver, wrote to the Canadian Minister of Justice to protest the sale of his property. Two years earlier, when he and his family had packed their belongings for their forced expulsion from coastal British Columbia, they could take with them only what they could carry and, like other displaced people, they left much behind. “I realize that we are the victims of a war emergency and as such are quite willing to undergo … hardship … to help safeguard the shores of our homeland,” wrote Yoneyama, “however, I do urgently desire to return to my home … when the present emergency ends. May I plead your assistance in the sincere request for the return of that home?” When letters like his did receive a response from the federal government (there is no record that he did so in this case) it came in the form of standard letter, acknowledging that “the disposal of … property will be a matter of personal concern” but informing Japanese Canadians that, in conformity with a new federal law, everything, including their homes, would be sold.
Disentangling the coupling between sea ice and tundra productivity in Svalbard
Authors: Macias-Fauria Marc , Karlsen Stein Rune , Forbes Bruce C.
Published: August 2017

The rapid decline in Arctic sea ice poses urgent questions concerning its ecological effects, such as on tundra terrestrial productivity. However, reported sea ice/terrestrial productivity linkages have seldom been constrained, and the mechanism governing them remains elusive, with a diversity of spatial scales and metrics proposed, at times in contradiction to each other. In this study, we use spatially explicit remotely sensed sea ice concentration and high-resolution terrestrial productivity estimates (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI) across the Svalbard Archipelago to describe local/sub-regional and large-scale components of sea ice/terrestrial productivity coupling. Whereas the local/sub-regional component is attributed to sea breeze (cold air advection from ice-covered ocean onto adjacent land during the growing season), the large-scale component might reflect co-variability of sea ice and tundra productivity due to a common forcing, such as large-scale atmospheric circulation (North Atlantic Oscillation, NAO). Our study clarifies the range of mechanisms in sea ice/terrestrial productivity coupling, allowing the generation of testable hypotheses about its past, present, and future dynamics across the Arctic.
Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of long non-coding RNAs in auditory and vestibular systems
Authors: Ushakov Kathy , Koffler-Brill Tal , Rom Aviv , Perl Kobi , Ulitsky Igor , Avraham Karen B.
Published: August 2017

Mammalian genomes encode multiple layers of regulation, including a class of RNA molecules known as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). These are >200 nucleotides in length and similar to mRNAs, they are capped, polyadenylated, and spliced. In contrast to mRNAs, lncRNAs are less abundant and have higher tissue specificity, and have been linked to development, epigenetic processes, and disease. However, little is known about lncRNA function in the auditory and vestibular systems, or how they play a role in deafness and vestibular dysfunction. To help address this need, we performed a whole-genome identification of lncRNAs using RNA-seq at two developmental stages of the mouse inner ear sensory epithelium of the cochlea and vestibule. We identified 3,239 lncRNA genes, most of which were intergenic (lincRNAs) and 721 are novel. We examined temporal and tissue specificity by analyzing the developmental profiles on embryonic day 16.5 and at birth. The spatial and temporal patterns of three lncRNAs, two of which are in proximity to genes associated with hearing and deafness, were explored further. Our findings indicate that lncRNAs are prevalent in the sensory epithelium of the mouse inner ear and are likely to play key roles in regulating critical pathways for hearing and balance.
Suspected limited mobility of a Middle Pleistocene woman from Southern Italy: strontium isotopes of a human deciduous tooth
Authors: Lugli Federico , Cipriani Anna , Arnaud Julie , Arzarello Marta , Peretto Carlo , Benazzi Stefano
Published: August 2017

We present the Sr isotopic composition of enamel of the most ancient deciduous tooth ever discovered in Italy to assess human mobility in Middle Pleistocene. Reconstructing ancient mobility is crucial for understanding human strategy at exploiting temporally and spatially patchy resources, with most studies focusing on indirect evidences, ultimately affecting our interpretation on hominin territoriality and energetic costs invested by hominin groups. Here, we use the high spatial resolution and micro-destructivity options offered by the Laser Ablation Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry technique, to determine the 87Sr/ 86Sr intra-tooth variability of a human deciduous incisor from the Middle Pleistocene layers of the Isernia La Pineta site (Italy). We compared these data with the Sr isotopic signature of local micro-mammals, the broadest home-range of the macro-mammals and with modern plant samples. Our study reveals that while macro-mammals have possibly migrated through the landscape for up to 50 km, the pregnant woman from Isernia was probably local, given that the isotopic ratio of the enamel falls within the local range and is comparable with the signature of the local plants in a radius of 10 km. This is the first case study of Sr isotopic composition determination in such ancient deciduous tooth.
Isothermal Amplification of Long, Discrete DNA Fragments Facilitated by Single-Stranded Binding Protein
Authors: Zhang Yinhua , Tanner Nathan A.
Published: August 2017

Isothermal amplification methods for detection of DNA and RNA targets have expanded significantly in recent years, promising a new wave of simple and rapid molecular diagnostics. Current isothermal methods result in the generation of short fragments (<150 base pairs) or highly branched long DNA products. Here we report the amplification of discrete target fragments of several kilobases at 37 °C from both double- and single-stranded circular template DNA using specific primer pairs. In contrast to existing methods, this amplification requires only the single-stranded DNA-binding protein gp32 from bacteriophage T4 and a strand-displacing DNA polymerase. In addition to the discrete amplicon products, this method also produces higher molecular weight products consisting of multiple repeated copies of the amplicon and template DNA. We demonstrate that two features of gp32 enable this amplification: a facilitation of primer strand invasion into double-stranded DNA, and a suppression of non-homologous primer annealing and nonspecific amplification. The ability presented here to produce long, discrete DNA products in an isothermal reaction extends the scope of isothermal amplification to enable more useful applications of these promising methods.
MCE domain proteins: conserved inner membrane lipid-binding proteins required for outer membrane homeostasis
Authors: Isom Georgia L. , Davies Nathaniel J. , Chong Zhi-Soon , Bryant Jack A. , Jamshad Mohammed , Sharif Maria , Cunningham Adam F. , Knowles Timothy J. , Chng Shu-Sin , Cole Jeffrey A. , Henderson Ian R.
Published: August 2017

Bacterial proteins with MCE domains were first described as being important for Mammalian Cell Entry. More recent evidence suggests they are components of lipid ABC transporters. In Escherichia coli, the single-domain protein MlaD is known to be part of an inner membrane transporter that is important for maintenance of outer membrane lipid asymmetry. Here we describe two multi MCE domain-containing proteins in Escherichia coli, PqiB and YebT, the latter of which is an orthologue of MAM-7 that was previously reported to be an outer membrane protein. We show that all three MCE domain-containing proteins localise to the inner membrane. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that MCE domains are widely distributed across bacterial phyla but multi MCE domain-containing proteins evolved in Proteobacteria from single-domain proteins. Mutants defective in mlaD, pqiAB and yebST were shown to have distinct but partially overlapping phenotypes, but the primary functions of PqiB and YebT differ from MlaD. Complementing our previous findings that all three proteins bind phospholipids, results presented here indicate that multi-domain proteins evolved in Proteobacteria for specific functions in maintaining cell envelope homeostasis.
Precise stacking of decellularized extracellular matrix based 3D cell-laden constructs by a 3D cell printing system equipped with heating modules
Authors: Ahn Geunseon , Min Kyung-Hyun , Kim Changhwan , Lee Jeong-Seok , Kang Donggu , Won Joo-Yun , Cho Dong-Woo , Kim Jun-Young , Jin Songwan , Yun Won-Soo , Shim Jin-Hyung
Published: August 2017

Three-dimensional (3D) cell printing systems allow the controlled and precise deposition of multiple cells in 3D constructs. Hydrogel materials have been used extensively as printable bioinks owing to their ability to safely encapsulate living cells. However, hydrogel-based bioinks have drawbacks for cell printing, e.g. inappropriate crosslinking and liquid-like rheological properties, which hinder precise 3D shaping. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the influence of various factors (e.g. bioink concentration, viscosity, and extent of crosslinking) on cell printing and established a new 3D cell printing system equipped with heating modules for the precise stacking of decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM)-based 3D cell-laden constructs. Because the pH-adjusted bioink isolated from native tissue is safely gelled at 37 °C, our heating system facilitated the precise stacking of dECM bioinks by enabling simultaneous gelation during printing. We observed greater printability compared with that of a non-heating system. These results were confirmed by mechanical testing and 3D construct stacking analyses. We also confirmed that our heating system did not elicit negative effects, such as cell death, in the printed cells. Conclusively, these results hold promise for the application of 3D bioprinting to tissue engineering and drug development.
Distribution bias and biochemical characterization of TOP1MT single nucleotide variants
Authors: Zhang Hongliang , Seol Yeonee , Agama Keli , Neuman Keir C. , Pommier Yves
Published: August 2017

Mitochondrial topoisomerase I (TOP1MT) is a type IB topoisomerase encoded in the nucleus of vertebrate cells. In contrast to the other five human topoisomerases, TOP1MT possesses two high frequency single nucleotide variants (SNVs), rs11544484 (V256I, Minor Allele Frequency = 0.27) and rs2293925 (R525W, MAF = 0.45), which tend to be mutually exclusive across different human ethnic groups and even more clearly in a cohort of 129 US patients with breast cancer and in the NCI-60 cancer cell lines. We expressed these two TOP1MT variants and the double-variant (V256I-R525W) as recombinant proteins, as well as a less common variant E168G (rs200673353, MAF = 0.001), and studied their biochemical properties by magnetic tweezers-based supercoil relaxation and classical DNA relaxation assays. Variants showed reduced DNA relaxation activities, especially the V256I variant towards positively supercoiled DNA. We also found that the V256I variant was enriched to MAF = 0.64 in NCI-60 lung carcinoma cell lines, whereas the TOP1MT R525W was enriched to MAF = 0.65 in the NCI-60 melanoma cell lines. Moreover, TOP1MT expression correlated with the 256 variants in the NCI-60 lung carcinoma cell lines, valine with high expression and isoleucine with low expression. Our results are discussed in the context of evolution between the nuclear and mitochondrial topoisomerases and potential cancer predisposition.
Structural diversities induced by cation sizes in a series of fluorogermanophosphates: A2[GeF2(HPO4)2] (A = Na, K, Rb, NH4, and Cs)
Authors: Chen Zhang-Gai , Huang Xia , Zhuang Rong-Chuan , Zhang Yu , Liu Xin , Shi Tao , Wang Shuai-Hua , Wu Shao-Fan , Mi Jin-Xiao , Huang Ya-Xi
Published: August 2017

Structural diversities in a series of five novel fluorogermanophosphates: A2[GeF2(HPO4)2] (A = Na, K, Rb, NH4, and Cs) have been achieved by the synergetic effects of cation sizes and fluorine substitution.
Minor methane emissions from an Alpine hydropower reservoir based on monitoring of diel and seasonal variability
Authors: Sollberger Sébastien , Wehrli Bernhard , Schubert Carsten J. , DelSontro Tonya , Eugster Werner
Published: August 2017

Methane emissions from an Alpine reservoir increased with temperatures and degree of filling, but remained small compared to warm reservoirs.
European country-specific probabilistic assessment of nanomaterial flows towards landfilling, incineration and recycling
Authors: Adam Véronique , Nowack Bernd
Published: August 2017

Improving the risk assessment of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) requires that uncertainties in their potential releases during their complete life cycle are quantified and, as far as possible, reduced.
Synthesis of phosphonic acid ring-substituted polyanilines via direct phosphonation to polymer main chains
Authors: Amaya Toru , Kurata Izumi , Inada Yuhi , Hatai Tomohiro , Hirao Toshikazu
Published: August 2017

Electrically conductive phosphonic acid ring-substituted polyanilines (PhosPANIs) were synthesized via reductive phosphonation of pernigraniline (a fully oxidized form of PANI) with P(OEt)3 and the subsequent hydrolysis.
Preparation and characterization of nanoparticle reinforced alginate fibers with high porosity for potential wound dressing application
Authors: Zhang Xiaolin , Huang Chen , Zhao Yi , Jin Xiangyu
Published: August 2017

A novel fiber dressing was fabricated by blending nano-silica/hydroxyapatite with alginateviamicrofluidic spinning, demonstrating delayed degradation, greater mechanical property and superior bioactivity due to the reinforcing alginate fibers.
Synthesis of highly sensitive disordered porous SnO2 aerogel composite material by the chemical deposition method: synergistic effect of a layer of CuO thin film
Authors: Li Tian-tian , Zheng Ren-rong , Yu Hui , Yang Ying , Wang Ting-ting , Dong Xiang-ting
Published: August 2017

In this study, a new chemical deposition method was innovatively used to prepare disordered porous CuO/SnO2 aerogel composite material (CuO/SnO2-ACM). The prepared material has the excellent gas sensing property.
Study of the estrogenic-like mechanism of glycosides of cistanche using metabolomics
Authors: Song H. , Li W. L. , Liu B. M. , Sun X. M. , Ding J. X. , Chen N. , Ji Y. B. , Xiang Z.
Published: August 2017

Cistanche deserticola, known as Rou Cong-Rong in China, has been used as a tonic for more than 1800 years, with previous studies demonstrating that glycosides of cistanche (GCs) are a main active component.
Activation of tissue plasminogen activator by metastasis-inducing S100P protein
Authors: Clarke Christopher J. , Gross Stephane R. , Ismail Thamir M. , Rudland Philip S. , Al-Medhtiy Morteta , Santangeli Michael , Barraclough Roger
Published: August 2017

S100P protein in human breast cancer cells is associated with reduced patient survival and, in a model system of metastasis, it confers a metastatic phenotype upon benign mammary tumour cells. S100P protein possesses a C-terminal lysine residue. Using a multiwell in vitro assay, S100P is now shown for the first time to exhibit a strong, C-terminal lysine-dependent activation of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), but not of urokinase-catalysed plasminogen activation. The presence of 10 μM calcium ions stimulates tPA activation of plasminogen 2-fold in an S100P-dependent manner. S100P physically interacts with both plasminogen and tPA in vitro, but not with urokinase. Cells constitutively expressing S100P exhibit detectable S100P protein on the cell surface, and S100P-containing cells show enhanced activation of plasminogen compared with S100P-negative control cells. S100P shows C-terminal lysine-dependent enhancement of cell invasion. An S100P antibody, when added to the culture medium, reduced the rate of invasion of wild-type S100P-expressing cells, but not of cells expressing mutant S100P proteins lacking the C-terminal lysine, suggesting that S100P functions outside the cell. The protease inhibitors, aprotinin or α-2-antiplasmin, reduced the invasion of S100P-expressing cells, but not of S100P-negative control cells, nor cells expressing S100P protein lacking the C-terminal lysine. It is proposed that activation of tPA via the C-terminal lysine of S100P contributes to the enhancement of cell invasion by S100P and thus potentially to its metastasis-promoting activity.
Position aided open‐loop passive magnetic MIMO transmission
Authors: Zhang Chao , Zhao Yufei , Zhang Yaxin , Li Fengfei , Jiang Shiquan
Published: August 2017

Establishing the passive magnetic multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) transmission is seldom reported and still confronts some challenging problems, such as (i) since the sensor energy is induced from the transmitted signals by the sensor coils, only one‐round ‘ping pang access (PPA)’ to the access point (AP) is permitted; (ii) Channel state information (CSI) should also be achieved within aforementioned PPA; and (iii) for more applications, both one‐dimensional (1D) coil and three‐dimensional (3D) coils should be considered. In this study, the magnetic positioning information is employed to solve the above problems and successfully establish the open‐loop passive magnetic MIMO transmission, i.e. (i) AP sends the enquiring signal with 3D coils; (ii) sensors with 3D or 1D coils capture the signal and measure the magnetic field from AP. Then, the position and CSI from AP to the sensor are calculated. The access time‐slot is determined according to the position; and (iii) sensors send out the response signals within the corresponding time‐slots, i.e. according to the space‐time mapping procedure. The passive massive MIMO communications can work within the successive PPAs. The proposed scheme gives a promising solution to the magnetic communication and positioning with large magnetic passive sensors in 3D space.
Exponential stability of impulsive systems with random delays under sampled‐data control
Authors: Subramanian Kuppusamy , Muthukumar Palanisamy , Zhu Quanxin
Published: August 2017

In this study, the exponential stability problem of impulsive system is investigated via sampled‐data control in the presence of random time‐varying delays and non‐linear perturbations. In particular, the time delays are considered to be randomly time varying and they obey the Bernoulli distributions. The authors' main attention is focused on the design of a sampled‐data controller to ensure an exponential stability for the closed‐loop system. By extending the first‐ and second‐order reciprocal convex approach, an efficient method called third‐order reciprocal convex technique is used to manipulate the main results. Through the construction of a suitable Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional combined with input delay approach and Briat lemma, several delay‐dependent sufficient conditions for the concerned system are derived in the form of linear matrix inequalities which can be readily solved by utilising the valid software packages. Some numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the developed control technique.
Determination of stocking density limits forCrassostrea gigaslarvae reared in flow-through and recirculating aquaculture systems and interaction between larval density and biofilm formation
Authors: Asmani Katia , Petton Bruno , Le Grand Jacqueline , Mounier Jérôme , Robert René , Nicolas Jean-Louis
Published: August 2017

The first aim of this study was to determine the stocking density limits for Pacific oysterCrassostrea gigaslarvae reared in flow-through system (FTS) and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The second aim was to examine biofilm formation on the larval tank wall and its interaction with larvae growth. Three larvae concentrations were tested: 50, 150, and 300 mL−1. Chemical parameters and larvae performance were measured. The biofilm was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and its bacterial composition was investigated by pyrosequencing analysis of part of the 16S rRNA gene. The highest growth (13 µm day–1), survival (87%) and metamorphosis (50%) rates were observed in FTS at 50 larvae mL–1, while lower and similar performances occurred at 150 larvae mL–1in both systems. At 300 larvae mL−1, performances dropped with occurrence of mortality. Biofilm thickness increased with larval density. The pioneer bacteria were coccobacilli followed by filamentous bacteria. The latter constituted abundant braids at the end of rearing at high larval concentrations. The first colonizers were mainly Rhodobacteraceae (α-Proteobacteria). The filamentous bacteria were Saprospirae (Bacteroidetes) and Anaerolineae (Chloroflexi). The biofilm was also made up of other minor groups, including Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, δ-, γ-Proteobacteria, and Flavobacteriales. The biofilm's composition was more similar to that found in a sewage reactor than in open-sea collectors, which might negatively influence larval rearing due to potential metabolites. This first study on biofilms provides insights into the interaction between rearing density and larvae performance.
Brazilian Women's Health after 65 Years of Age
Authors: Fonseca Angela Maggio da , Bagnoli Vicente Renato , Massabki Josefina Odete Polak , Arie Wilson Maça Yuki , Azevedo Raymundo Soares , Soares Jr José Maria , Baracat Edmund C.
Published: August 2017

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the health aspects of Brazilian women older than 65 years of age.

Design This was a retrospective study that included 1,001 Brazilian women cared for in the gynecological geriatric outpatient office of our institution. We report a cross-sectional analysis of female adults aged over 65 years, including data on demographics, clinical symptoms such as vasomotor symptoms, associated morbidities, physical examination and sexual intercourse. We used the chi-squared test to assess the data.

Results The age of the patients on their first clinic visit ranged from 65 to 98 years, with a mean age of 68.56 ± 4.47 years; their mean age at the time of natural menopause was 48.76 ± 5.07 years. The most frequent clinical symptoms reported during the analyzed period were hot flashes (n = 188), followed by arthropathy, asthenia, and dry vagina. The most frequent associated morbidities after 65 years of age were systemic arterial hypertension, gastrointestinal disturbance, diabetes mellitus, and depression, among others. The assessment of the body mass index (BMI) found decreases in BMI with increased age. At the time of the visit, 78 patients reported sexual intercourse. The majority of women reporting sexual intercourse (89.75%, n =  70) were between 65 and 69 years of age, 8.97% (n = 7) were between 70 and 74 years of age, and only 1.28% (n = 1) of those were aged older than 75 years.

Conclusions Our findings suggested that vasomotor symptoms can persist after 65 years of age. There was a significant decrease in sexual intercourse with increased age. The cardiovascular disturbances in our study are health concerns in these women.
Patient with Recurrent Glioblastoma Responding Favorably to Ketogenic Diet Combined with Intranasal Delivery of Perillyl Alcohol: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Santos Juliana , Cruz Wanise , Schönthal Axel , Salazar Marcela , Fontes Cristina , Quirico-Santos Thereza , Fonseca Clovis
Published: August 2017

Introduction Monoterpene perillyl alcohol (POH) is cytotoxic to temozolomide-resistant glioma cells, regardless of its O6-methylguanine-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status. Moreover, adherence to a ketogenic diet (KD) produced successful outcomes in preclinical and clinical studies in the glioma setting.

Case Presentation A 54-year-old Caucasian man had a confirmed diagnosis of refractory glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The immunohistochemical evaluation was negative for methylation, and failed to detect mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 and 2 genes. In January 2016, the patient was enrolled in a clinical trial combining daily intranasal delivery of POH in combination with a KD. The KD was administered concomitantly with inhalation of POH (55 mg, 4 times a day) in an uninterrupted administration schedule for 3 months.

Results The combination treatment was well-tolerated. The nutritional status and anthropometric measurements of the patient were measured. Adherence to the KD was confirmed by measuring the levels of ketone bodies in the urine. Throughout the treatment, a reduced frequency of seizures was observed. After three months of adherence to the treatment, the patient presented with weight loss, reduced body fat, increased water retention, and a slight increase in bone and muscle mass. A follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan after 3 months of treatment revealed marked reduction of the enhancing lesion.

Conclusion Intranasal delivery of POH combined with concomitant adherence to a KD appeared to have a beneficial therapeutic effect in a patient with recurrent GBM. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of this therapeutic strategy in a larger cohort of treatment-refractory GBM patients.