bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnose und Entwicklung motorischer Basiskompetenzen
Authors: Herrmann Christian , Heim Christopher , Seelig Harald
Published: March 2018

Zusammenfassung. Motorische Basiskompetenzen gewährleisten als erlernbare und funktionale Leistungsdispositionen, dass Kinder qualifiziert an der Sport- und Bewegungskultur teilnehmen können. Ziel des Beitrags ist es, die Entwicklung motorischer Basiskompetenzen über ein Schuljahr abzubilden und potentielle Einflussfaktoren zu untersuchen. Im Rahmen des Projekts „Schulkids in Bewegung“ wurden N = 1031 Kinder der ersten und zweiten Jahrgangsstufe (54 % Jungen, M = 6.83 Jahre, SD = 0.44) in den Kompetenzbereichen Sich-Bewegen und Etwas-Bewegen untersucht. Weiterhin wurde die sportliche Aktivität der Kinder mittels Elternfragebogen erfasst. Die Resultate lassen eine Verbesserung der motorischen Basiskompetenzen im Verlauf eines Schuljahres deutlich erkennen. Die Kompetenzveränderungen fielen für Jungen und Mädchen unterschiedlich aus. Kinder mit hohem BMI zeigten im Vergleich zu Kindern mit geringerem BMI weniger Kompetenzzuwächse. Kinder, welche außerhalb der Schule sportlich aktiv waren, verbesserten ihre motorischen Basiskompetenzen deutlicher, wobei die Art der sportlichen Betätigung bedeutsam war. Insgesamt konnte gezeigt werden, dass endogene und exogene Faktoren in einem engen Zusammenhang mit der motorischen Kompetenzentwicklung zu Beginn der Grundschulzeit stehen.
Ein Motivationsschub durch die Ausbildung?
Authors: Becker Sarah , Pfost Maximilian , Schiefer Irene M. , Artelt Cordula
Published: March 2018

Zusammenfassung. Bisherige Forschungsarbeiten zeigen, dass die Entwicklung von Zielorientierungen von kontextuellen Bedingungen abhängen kann. So wird beispielsweise ein Rückgang der Lernzielorientierung nach dem Übergang in die Sekundarstufe I berichtet ( Anderman & Midgley, 1997 ). Schlechter werdende Passung zwischen Lernendem und Lernumgebung wird als mögliche Ursache für den Rückgang genannt. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wurde untersucht, ob und wie sich Zielorientierungen von Beginn der Sekundarstufe I bis nach dem Übergang in die Sekundarstufe II bzw. in das Ausbildungssystem entwickeln. Analysiert wurden Daten von N = 650 Schülerinnen und Schülern sowie Auszubildenden zu drei Messzeitpunkten (Klasse 5, Klasse 6, Stufe 11 / 1. Ausbildungsjahr). Die Ergebnisse latenter Neighbor-Change-Analysen zeigen in beiden Gruppen eine Abnahme der Annäherungs- und Vermeidungsleistungszielorientierung. Die Lernzielorientierung nimmt in beiden Gruppen zu, wobei der Anstieg für Auszubildende signifikant höher ausfällt. Die Ergebnisse erweisen sich unter Berücksichtigung der Kovariaten Geschlecht, Schulleistung, Migrationshintergrund und sozioökonomischer Status als robust. Die Ergebnisse werden vor dem Hintergrund der Stage-Environment-Fit-Theorie und Zielstrukturen diskutiert.
Around the World in 84 Days
Authors: Haase Jennifer , Alexander M. , Hertzog Albert , Kalnajs Lars , Deshler Terry , Davis Sean , Plougonven Riwal , Cocquerez Philippe , Venel Stephanie
Published: March 2018

In the Stratéole 2 program, set to launch in November 2018, instruments will ride balloons into the stratosphere and circle the world, observing properties of the air and winds in fine detail.
Measuring Hurricane Wind Speed from Space
Authors: Branscombe Alexandra
Published: March 2018

A new technique based on GPS signals could provide better wind speed measurements during hurricanes and cyclones.
Environmental Ratings Lowest Ever for Congressional Republicans
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: March 2018

Senate Republicans averaged 1%, while House GOP members averaged 5%, the worst showing since the scorecard began in 1970.
Impairments in action–outcome learning in schizophrenia
Authors: Morris Richard W. , Cyrzon Chad , Green Melissa J. , Le Pelley Mike E. , Balleine Bernard W.
Published: March 2018

Learning the causal relation between actions and their outcomes (AO learning) is critical for goal-directed behavior when actions are guided by desire for the outcome. This can be contrasted with habits that are acquired by reinforcement and primed by prevailing stimuli, in which causal learning plays no part. Recently, we demonstrated that goal-directed actions are impaired in schizophrenia; however, whether this deficit exists alongside impairments in habit or reinforcement learning is unknown. The present study distinguished deficits in causal learning from reinforcement learning in schizophrenia. We tested people with schizophrenia (SZ, n = 25) and healthy adults (HA, n = 25) in a vending machine task. Participants learned two action–outcome contingencies (e.g., push left to get a chocolate M&M, push right to get a cracker), and they also learned one contingency was degraded by delivery of noncontingent outcomes (e.g., free M&Ms), as well as changes in value by outcome devaluation. Both groups learned the best action to obtain rewards; however, SZ did not distinguish the more causal action when one AO contingency was degraded. Moreover, action selection in SZ was insensitive to changes in outcome value unless feedback was provided, and this was related to the deficit in AO learning. The failure to encode the causal relation between action and outcome in schizophrenia occurred without any apparent deficit in reinforcement learning. This implies that poor goal-directed behavior in schizophrenia cannot be explained by a more primary deficit in reward learning such as insensitivity to reward value or reward prediction errors.
Hydroxychloroquine attenuates renal ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting cathepsin mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Authors: Tang Tao-Tao , Lv Lin-Li , Pan Ming-Ming , Wen Yi , Wang Bin , Li Zuo-Lin , Wu Min , Wang Feng-Mei , Crowley Steve D , Liu Bi-Cheng
Published: March 2018

Inflammation is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI), which complicates the post-operative outcomes of large numbers of hospitalized surgical patients. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a well-known anti-malarial drug, is commonly used in clinical practice for its anti-inflammatory actions. However, little is known about its role in renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. In the current study, mice were subjected to I/R injury and HCQ was administered for seven days by gavage prior to surgery. In parallel, HK-2 human renal proximal tubule cells were prophylactically treated with HCQ and then were exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). The results showed that HCQ significantly attenuated renal dysfunction evidenced by blunted decreases in serum creatinine and kidney injury molecular-1 expression and the improvement of HK-2 cell viability. Additionally, HCQ markedly reduced macrophage and neutrophil infiltration, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Mechanistic studies showed that HCQ could inhibit the priming of the NLRP3 inflammasome by down-regulating I/R or H/R-induced NF-κB signaling. Moreover, HCQ reduced cathepsin (CTS) B, CTSD and CTSL activity, and their redistribution from lysosomes to cytoplasm. CTSB and CTSL (not CTSD) were implicated in I/R triggered NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Notably, we found that HCQ attenuated renal injury through downregulation of CTSB and CTSL-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation. This study provides new insights into the anti-inflammatory effect of HCQ in the treatment of AKI.
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression regulates the survival and proliferation of Fusobacterium nucleatum in THP-1-derived macrophages
Authors: Xue Ying , Xiao Han , Guo Songhe , Xu Banglao , Liao Yuehua , Wu Yixian , Zhang Ge
Published: March 2018

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) is a tumor-associated obligate anaerobic bacterium, which has a role in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Fn can invade and promote colon epithelial cells proliferation. However, how Fn survives and proliferates in its host cells remains largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the morphology, survival, and proliferation of Fn in THP-1-derived macrophages (dTHP1). For the first time, we found that Fn is a facultative intracellular bacterium that can survive and limited proliferate in dTHP1 cells up to 72 h, and a live Fn infection can inhibit apoptosis of dTHP1 cells by activating the PI3K and ERK pathways. Both Fn bacteria and dTHP1 cells exhibit obvious morphological changes during infection. In addition, Infection of Fn-induced indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression by TNF-α-dependent and LPS-dependent pathway in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner, and the IDO-induced low tryptophan and high kynurenine environment inhibited the intracellular multiplication of Fn in dTHP1 cells. IDO expression further impaired the function of peripheral blood lymphocytes, permitting the escape of Fn-infected macrophages from cell death. IDO inhibition abrogated this effect caused by Fn and relieved immune suppression. In conclusion, we identified IDO as an important player mediating intracellular Fn proliferation in macrophages, and inhibition of IDO may aggravate infection in Fn-associated tumor immunotherapy.
The harsh microenvironment in infarcted heart accelerates transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells injury: the role of injured cardiomyocytes-derived exosomes
Authors: Hu Ming , Guo Guixian , Huang Qiang , Cheng Chuanfang , Xu Ruqin , Li Aiqun , Liu Ningning , Liu Shiming
Published: March 2018

Stem cell therapy can be used to repair and regenerate damaged hearts tissue; nevertheless, the low survival rate of transplanted cells limits their therapeutic efficacy. Recently, it has been proposed that exosomes regulate multiple cellular processes by mediating cell survival and communication among cells. The following study investigates whether injured cardiomyocytes-derived exosomes (cardiac exosomes) affect the survival of transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in infarcted heart. To mimic the harsh microenvironment in infarcted heart that the cardiomyocytes or transplanted BMSCs encounter in vivo, cardiomyocytes conditioned medium and cardiac exosomes collected from H2O2-treated cardiomyocytes culture medium were cultured with BMSCs under oxidative stress in vitro. Cardiomyocytes conditioned medium and cardiac exosomes significantly accelerated the injury of BMSCs induced by H2O2; increased cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 and apoptotic percentage, and decreased the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and cell viability in those cells. Next, we explored the role of cardiac exosomes in the survival of transplanted BMSCs in vivo by constructing a Rab27a knockout (KO) mice model by a transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) genome-editing technique; Rab27a is a family of GTPases, which has critical role in secretion of exosomes. Male mouse GFP-modified BMSCs were implanted into the viable myocardium bordering the infarction in Rab27a KO and wild-type female mice. The obtained results showed that the transplanted BMSCs survival in infarcted heart was increased in Rab27a KO mice by the higher level of Y-chromosome Sry DNA, GFP mRNA, and the GFP fluorescence signal intensity. To sum up, these findings revealed that the injured cardiomyocytes-derived exosomes accelerate transplanted BMSCs injury in infarcted heart, thus highlighting a new mechanism underlying the survival of transplanted cells after myocardial infarction.
Epigenetic modifiers promote mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism leading to enhanced differentiation of neuroprogenitor cells
Authors: Uittenbogaard Martine , Brantner Christine A. , Chiaramello Anne
Published: March 2018

During neural development, epigenetic modulation of chromatin acetylation is part of a dynamic, sequential and critical process to steer the fate of multipotent neural progenitors toward a specific lineage. Pan-HDAC inhibitors (HDCis) trigger neuronal differentiation by generating an “acetylation” signature and promoting the expression of neurogenic bHLH transcription factors. Our studies and others have revealed a link between neuronal differentiation and increase of mitochondrial mass. However, the neuronal regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis has remained largely unexplored. Here, we show that the HDACi, sodium butyrate (NaBt), promotes mitochondrial biogenesis via the NRF-1/Tfam axis in embryonic hippocampal progenitor cells and neuroprogenitor-like PC12-NeuroD6 cells, thereby enhancing their neuronal differentiation competency. Increased mitochondrial DNA replication by several pan-HDACis indicates a common mechanism by which they regulate mitochondrial biogenesis. NaBt also induces coordinates mitochondrial ultrastructural changes and enhanced OXPHOS metabolism, thereby increasing key mitochondrial bioenergetics parameters in neural progenitor cells. NaBt also endows the neuronal cells with increased mitochondrial spare capacity to confer resistance to oxidative stress associated with neuronal differentiation. We demonstrate that mitochondrial biogenesis is under HDAC-mediated epigenetic regulation, the timing of which is consistent with its integrative role during neuronal differentiation. Thus, our findings add a new facet to our mechanistic understanding of how pan-HDACis induce differentiation of neuronal progenitor cells. Our results reveal the concept that epigenetic modulation of the mitochondrial pool prior to neurotrophic signaling dictates the efficiency of initiation of neuronal differentiation during the transition from progenitor to differentiating neuronal cells. The histone acetyltransferase CREB-binding protein plays a key role in regulating the mitochondrial biomass. By ChIP-seq analysis, we show that NaBt confers an H3K27ac epigenetic signature in several interconnected nodes of nuclear genes vital for neuronal differentiation and mitochondrial reprogramming. Collectively, our study reports a novel developmental epigenetic layer that couples mitochondrial biogenesis to neuronal differentiation.
Inhibiting PSMα-induced neutrophil necroptosis protects mice with MRSA pneumonia by blocking the agr system
Authors: Zhou Ying , Niu Chao , Ma Bo , Xue Xiaoyan , Li Zhi , Chen Zhou , Li Fen , Zhou Shan , Luo Xiaoxing , Hou Zheng
Published: March 2018

Given its high resistance, enhanced virulence, and high transmissibility, community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) pneumonia is highly associated with high morbidity and mortality. Anti-virulence therapy is a promising strategy that bypasses the evolutionary pressure on the bacterium to develop resistance. RNAIII-inhibiting peptide (RIP), as an accessory gene regulator (agr)-specific inhibitor, significantly restricts the virulence of S. aureus and protects infected mice from death by blocking the agr quorum sensing system. The protective effects of RIP on the neutropenic mice completely disappeared in a neutrophil-deleted mouse infection model, but not in the macrophage-deleted mice. This result confirmed that the in vivo antibacterial activity of RIP is highly associated with neutrophil function. Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs), as major leukocyte lysis toxins of CA-MRSA, are directly regulated by the agr system. In this experiment, PSMα1, 2, and 3 significantly induced neutrophil necroptosis by activating mixed lineage kinase-like protein (MLKL) phosphorylation and increasing lactate dehydrogenase release. The S. aureus supernatants harvested from the agr or psmα mutant strains both decreased the phosphorylation level of MLKL and cell lysis. PSMα1-mediated neutrophil lysis was significantly inhibited by necrosulfonamide, necrostatin-1, TNFα antibody, and WRW4. These results showed PSMα1 induced necroptosis depends on formylpeptide receptor 2 (FPR2)-mediated autocrine TNFα. Moreover, the neutrophil necroptosis induced by S. aureus was significantly suppressed and pneumonia was effectively prevented by the blockage of agrA and psmα expression levels. These findings indicate that PSMα-induced necroptosis is a major cause of lung pathology in S. aureus pneumonia and suggest that interfering with the agr quorum sensing signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic strategy.
The genomic and functional landscapes of developmental plasticity in the American cockroach
Authors: Li Sheng , Zhu Shiming , Jia Qiangqiang , Yuan Dongwei , Ren Chonghua , Li Kang , Liu Suning , Cui Yingying , Zhao Haigang , Cao Yanghui , Fang Gangqi , Li Daqi , Zhao Xiaoming , Zhang Jianzhen , Yue Qiaoyun , Fan Yongliang , Yu Xiaoqiang , Feng Qili , Zhan Shuai
Published: March 2018

Many cockroach species have adapted to urban environments, and some have been serious pests of public health in the tropics and subtropics. Here, we present the 3.38-Gb genome and a consensus gene set of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana. We report insights from both genomic and functional investigations into the underlying basis of its adaptation to urban environments and developmental plasticity. In comparison with other insects, expansions of gene families in P. americana exist for most core gene families likely associated with environmental adaptation, such as chemoreception and detoxification. Multiple pathways regulating metamorphic development are well conserved, and RNAi experiments inform on key roles of 20-hydroxyecdysone, juvenile hormone, insulin, and decapentaplegic signals in regulating plasticity. Our analyses reveal a high level of sequence identity in genes between the American cockroach and two termite species, advancing it as a valuable model to study the evolutionary relationships between cockroaches and termites.
Activation of serotonin neurons promotes active persistence in a probabilistic foraging task
Authors: Lottem Eran , Banerjee Dhruba , Vertechi Pietro , Sarra Dario , Lohuis Matthijs oude , Mainen Zachary F.
Published: March 2018

The neuromodulator serotonin (5-HT) has been implicated in a variety of functions that involve patience or impulse control. Many of these effects are consistent with a long-standing theory that 5-HT promotes behavioral inhibition, a motivational bias favoring passive over active behaviors. To further test this idea, we studied the impact of 5-HT in a probabilistic foraging task, in which mice must learn the statistics of the environment and infer when to leave a depleted foraging site for the next. Critically, mice were required to actively nose-poke in order to exploit a given site. We show that optogenetic activation of 5-HT neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus increases the willingness of mice to actively attempt to exploit a reward site before giving up. These results indicate that behavioral inhibition is not an adequate description of 5-HT function and suggest that a unified account must be based on a higher-order function.
Surface plasmon resonance extension through two-block metal-conducting polymer nanorods
Authors: Jung Insub , Kim Minkyung , Kwak Min , Kim Geonwoo , Jang Minsun , Kim Sang Min , Park Doo Jae , Park Sungho
Published: March 2018

Research on surface plasmon resonance coupling of metallic nanostructures is an important area in the field of plasmonics because distinctive collective optical properties can be realized that are different from the individual constituents. Here we report the localized surface plasmon resonance of hybrid metal-organic nanorods. Colloidal-dispersed Au-PPy nanorods were synthesized as a representative material using a modified electrochemical method, and the collective oscillation properties were systematically investigated by comparing these materials with pure Au nanorods. We observed the extended surface plasmon resonance of a hybrid system. The presence of doped-PPy segments on Au segments induced an enhanced coherent electric field due to the partial contribution of π-electrons on the PPy segment, which led to a red-shifted plasmon feature. Additionally, we demonstrated that surface plasmon resonance extension can be tuned by dopant anions, which demonstrates a way of tuning a dopant-induced plasmonic system.
MHC diversity and female age underpin reproductive success in an Australian icon; the Tasmanian Devil
Authors: Russell Tracey , Lisovski Simeon , Olsson Mats , Brown Gregory , Spindler Rebecca , Lane Amanda , Keeley Tamara , Hibbard Chris , Hogg Carolyn J. , Thomas Frédéric , Belov Katherine , Ujvari Beata , Madsen Thomas
Published: March 2018

Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a highly contagious cancer, has decimated Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) numbers in the wild. To ensure its long-term survival, a captive breeding program was implemented but has not been as successful as envisaged at its launch in 2005. We therefore investigated the reproductive success of 65 captive devil pair combinations, of which 35 produced offspring (successful pairs) whereas the remaining 30 pairs, despite being observed mating, produced no offspring (unsuccessful pairs). The devils were screened at six MHC Class I-linked microsatellite loci. Our analyses revealed that younger females had a higher probability of being successful than older females. In the successful pairs we also observed a higher difference in total number of heterozygous loci, i.e. when one devil had a high total number of heterozygous loci, its partner had low numbers. Our results therefore suggest that devil reproductive success is subject to disruptive MHC selection, which to our knowledge has never been recorded in any vertebrate. In order to enhance the success of the captive breeding program the results from the present study show the importance of using young (2-year old) females as well as subjecting the devils to MHC genotyping.
Left Atrium Wall-mapping Application for Wall Thickness Visualisation
Authors: Sun Jing-Yi , Yun Chun-Ho , Mok Greta S. P. , Liu Yi-Hwa , Hung Chung-Lieh , Wu Tung-Hsin , Alaiti Mohamad Amer , Eck Brendan L. , Fares Anas , Bezerra Hiram G.
Published: March 2018

The measurement method for the LA wall thickness (WT) using cardiac computed tomography (CT) is observer dependent and cannot provide a rapid and comprehensive visualisation of the global LA WT. We aim to develop a LA wall-mapping application to display the global LA WT on a coplanar plane. The accuracy, intra-observer, and inter-observer reproducibility of the application were validated using digital/physical phantoms, and CT images of eight patients. This application on CT-based LA WT measures were further validated by testing six pig cardiac specimens. To evaluate its accuracy, the expanded maps of the physical phantom and pig LA were generated from the CT images and compared with the expanded map of the digital phantom and LA wall of pig heart. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between physical phantom and digital phantom as well as pig heart specimen and CT images using our application. Moreover, the analysis was based on the LA physical phantom or images of clinical patients; the results consistently demonstrated high intra-observer reproducibility (ICC > 0.9) and inter-observer reproducibility (ICC > 0.8) and showed good correlation between measures of pig heart specimen and CT data (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). The application can process and analyse the LA architecture for further visualisation and quantification.
The effect of texture and grain size on improving the mechanical properties of Mg-Al-Zn alloys by friction stir processing
Authors: Peng Jinhua , Zhang Zhen , Liu Zhao , Li Yaozu , Guo Peng , Zhou Wei , Wu Yucheng
Published: March 2018

Friction stir processing (FSP) was used to achieve grain refinement on Mg-Al-Zn alloys, which also brought in significant texture modification. The different micro-texture characteristics were found to cause irregular micro-hardness distribution in FSPed region. The effects of texture and grain size were investigated by comparative analyses with strongly textured rolling sheet. Grain refinement improved both strength and elongation in condition of a basal texture while such led to an increment in yield stress and a drop in elongation and ultimate stress when the basal texture was modified by FSP.
Ti12C68: A stable T
h
-symmetry hollow cage
Authors: Ai Ling-Yan , Zhao Hui-Yan , Ma Hong-Man , Wang Jing , Liu Ying
Published: March 2018

A stable T
h
-symmetry Ti12C68 cage was systemically investigated using density functional theory. The structure of Ti12C68 is a hollow cage with twelve TiC13 subunit of three pentagons and one hexagon. The calculated frequencies are in the range 95.1 cm−1–1423.9 cm−1. There are no imaginary frequencies, showing its kinetic stability. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that the topological structure of cage-like Ti12C68 cluster was well maintained when the effective temperature is up to 1139 K. The natural bond orbitals analysis shows that the d orbit of Ti atoms form four σ bonds with the neighboring four carbon atoms in each TiC13 subunit playing an important role in the cluster stability. The molecular frontier orbitals analysis indicates that Ti12C68 cage has a narrow HOMO-LUMO gap with metal-like property. It would be expected to enrich the species of hollow metal carbide clusters.
Detecting and classifying lesions in mammograms with Deep Learning
Authors: Ribli Dezső , Horváth Anna , Unger Zsuzsa , Pollner Péter , Csabai István
Published: March 2018

In the last two decades, Computer Aided Detection (CAD) systems were developed to help radiologists analyse screening mammograms, however benefits of current CAD technologies appear to be contradictory, therefore they should be improved to be ultimately considered useful. Since 2012, deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) have been a tremendous success in image recognition, reaching human performance. These methods have greatly surpassed the traditional approaches, which are similar to currently used CAD solutions. Deep CNN-s have the potential to revolutionize medical image analysis. We propose a CAD system based on one of the most successful object detection frameworks, Faster R-CNN. The system detects and classifies malignant or benign lesions on a mammogram without any human intervention. The proposed method sets the state of the art classification performance on the public INbreast database, AUC = 0.95. The approach described here has achieved 2nd place in the Digital Mammography DREAM Challenge with AUC = 0.85. When used as a detector, the system reaches high sensitivity with very few false positive marks per image on the INbreast dataset. Source code, the trained model and an OsiriX plugin are published online at https://github.com/riblidezso/frcnn_cad.
The effect of decreasing permafrost stability on ecosystem carbon in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Liu Wenjie , Chen Shengyun , Liang Junyi , Qin Xiang , Kang Shichang , Ren Jiawen , Qin Dahe
Published: March 2018

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of decreased permafrost stability on carbon storage of the alpine ecosystems in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. During July and August 2013, we selected 18 sites in five types of permafrost (stable, substable, transitional, unstable, and extremely unstable) regions. We measured aboveground phytomass carbon (APC) and soil respiration (SR), soil inorganic carbon (SIC), soil organic carbon (SOC), belowground phytomass carbon, and soil properties down to 50 cm at same types of soils and grasslands. The results indicated that ecosystem carbon in cold calcic soils first decreased and then increased as the permafrost stability declined. Overall, decreasing permafrost stability was expected to reduce ecosystem carbon in meadows, but it was not obvious in swamp meadows and steppes. APC decreased significantly, but SIC and SOC in steppes first decreased and then increased with declining permafrost stability. Soil clay fraction and soil moisture were the controls for site variations of ecosystem carbon. The spatial variations in SR were possibly controlled by soil moisture and precipitation. This meant that alpine ecosystems carbon reduction was strongly affected by permafrost degradation in meadows, but the effects were complex in swamp meadows and steppes.
Social Contact Enhances Bodily Self-Awareness
Authors: Hazem Nesrine , Beaurenaut Morgan , George Nathalie , Conty Laurence
Published: March 2018

Human self-awareness is arguably the most important and revealing question of modern sciences. Converging theoretical perspectives link self-awareness and social abilities in human beings. In particular, mutual engagement during social interactions—or social contact—would boost self-awareness. Yet, empirical evidence for this effect is scarce. We recently showed that the perception of eye contact induces enhanced bodily self-awareness. Here, we aimed at extending these findings by testing the influence of social contact in auditory and tactile modalities, in order to demonstrate that social contact enhances bodily self-awareness irrespective of sensory modality. In a first experiment, participants were exposed to hearing their own first name (as compared to another unfamiliar name and noise). In a second experiment, human touch (as compared to brush touch and no-touch) was used as the social contact cue. In both experiments, participants demonstrated more accurate rating of their bodily reactions in response to emotional pictures following the social contact condition—a proxy of bodily self-awareness. Further analyses indicated that the effect of social contact was comparable across tactile, auditory and visual modalities. These results provide the first direct empirical evidence in support of the essential social nature of human self-awareness.
GABAa excitation and synaptogenesis after Status Epilepticus – A computational study
Authors: França Keite Lira de Almeida , de Almeida Antônio-Carlos Guimarães , Saddow Stephen E. , Santos Luiz Eduardo Canton , Scorza Carla Alessandra , Scorza Fulvio Alexandre , Rodrigues Antônio Márcio
Published: March 2018

The role of GABAergic neurotransmission on epileptogenesis has been the subject of speculation according to different approaches. However, it is a very complex task to specifically consider the action of the GABAa neurotransmitter, which, in its dependence on the intracellular level of Cl−, can change its effect from inhibitory to excitatory. We have developed a computational model that represents the dentate gyrus and is composed of three different populations of neurons (granule cells, interneurons and mossy cells) that are mutually interconnected. The interconnections of the neurons were based on compensation theory with Hebbian and anti-Hebbian rules. The model also incorporates non-synaptic mechanisms to control the ionic homeostasis and was able to reproduce ictal discharges. The goal of the work was to investigate the hypothesis that the observed aberrant sprouting is promoted by GABAa excitatory action. Conjointly with the abnormal sprouting of the mossy fibres, the simulations show a reduction of the mossy cells connections in the network and an increased inhibition of the interneurons as a response of the neuronal network to control the activity. This finding contributes to increasing the changes in the connectivity of the neuronal circuitry and to increasing the epileptiform activity occurrences.
Transient Radiation Imaging Based on a ZnO:Ga Single-Crystal Image Converter
Authors: Xu Mengxuan , Chen Liang , Yao Zhiming , Ren Shuqing , Zhang Yuying , Huang Feng , Ji Xu , He Chaohui , Zhou Leidang , Hu Jing , He Shiyi , Zhao Kuo , Ouyang Xiaoping
Published: March 2018

A ZnO:Ga single crystal with an applicable size of φ40 × 1 mm was prepared using the hydro-thermal method. The crystal exhibits good crystallinity and scintillation properties with a 63.94-arcsec full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) in the X-ray rocking curve (XRC) spectrum, 8% luminous non-uniformity, emission at 389 nm in the X-ray excited luminescence spectrum, fast response and 5.5% BGO luminous intensity. Furthermore, an X-ray pinhole imaging system of nanosecond temporal resolution with a ZnO:Ga single-crystal image converter was established to diagnose the cathode electron emission spatial distribution of an intense current diode. Results for shutter times of 4 μs and 5 ns were obtained, which directly represent the cathode electron spatial distribution throughout the entire pulse duration and during a certain moment of the pulse, respectively. The results demonstrate that the large ZnO:Ga single crystal can diagnose the spatial distribution of cathode electron emission in an intense current diode with high temporal resolution and provide new solutions for high-temporal-resolution diagnosis of a pulse radiation field.
Sacrificial-template-free synthesis of core-shell C@Bi2S3 heterostructures for efficient supercapacitor and H2 production applications
Authors: Vattikuti S. V. Prabhakar , Police Anil Kumar Reddy , Shim Jaesool , Byon Chan
Published: March 2018

Core-shell heterostructures have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique properties and broad range of applications in lithium ion batteries, supercapacitors, and catalysis. Conversely, the effective synthesis of Bi2S3 nanorod core@ amorphous carbon shell heterostructure remains an important challenge. In this study, C@Bi2S3 core-shell heterostructures with enhanced supercapacitor performance were synthesized via sacrificial- template-free one-pot-synthesis method. The highest specific capacities of the C@Bi2S3 core shell was 333.43 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. Core-shell-structured C@Bi2S3 exhibits 1.86 times higher photocatalytic H2 production than the pristine Bi2S3 under simulated solar light irradiation. This core-shell feature of C@Bi2S3 provides efficient charge separation and transfer owing to the formed heterojunction and a short radial transfer path, thus efficiently diminishing the charge recombination; it also facilitates plenty of active sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction owing to its mesoporous nature. These outcomes will open opportunities for developing low-cost and noble-metal-free efficient electrode materials for water splitting and supercapacitor applications.
Surgical Anatomy of the Superior Mesenteric Vessels Related to Colon and Pancreatic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Negoi Ionut , Beuran Mircea , Hostiuc Sorin , Negoi Ruxandra Irina , Inoue Yosuke
Published: March 2018

The surgeon dissecting the base of the mesenterium, around the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and artery, is facing a complex tridimensional vascular anatomy and should be aware of the anatomical variants in this area. The aim of this systematic review is to propose a standardized terminology of the superior mesenteric vessels, with impact in colon and pancreatic resections. We conducted a systematic search in PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases up to March 2017. Forty-five studies, involving a total of 6090 specimens were included in the present meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of the ileocolic, right colic and middle colic arteries was 99.8%, 60.1%, and 94.6%, respectively. The superior right colic vein and Henle trunk were present in 73.9%, and 89.7% of specimens, respectively. In conclusion, the infra-pancreatic anatomy of the superior mesenteric vessels is widely variable. We propose the term Henle trunk to be used for any venous confluence between gastric, pancreatic and colic veins, which drains between the inferior border of the pancreas and up to 20 mm downward on the right-anterior aspect of the SMV. The term gastrocolic trunk should not be synonymous, but a subgroup of the Henle trunk, together with to gastropancreatocolic, gastropancreatic, or colopancreatic trunk.
Dna is a New Target of Parp3
Authors: Belousova E. A. , Ishchenko А. A. , Lavrik O. I.
Published: March 2018

Most members of the poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase family, PARP family, have a catalytic activity that involves the transfer of ADP-ribose from a beta-NAD+-molecule to protein acceptors. It was recently discovered by Talhaoui et al. that DNA-dependent PARP1 and PARP2 can also modify DNA. Here, we demonstrate that DNA-dependent PARP3 can modify DNA and form a specific primed structure for further use by the repair proteins. We demonstrated that gapped DNA that was ADP-ribosylated by PARP3 could be ligated to double-stranded DNA by DNA ligases. Moreover, this ADP-ribosylated DNA could serve as a primed DNA substrate for PAR chain elongation by the purified proteins PARP1 and PARP2 as well as by cell-free extracts. We suggest that this ADP-ribose modification can be involved in cellular pathways that are important for cell survival in the process of double-strand break formation.
Rapid and transient oxygen consumption increase following acute HDAC/KDAC inhibition in Drosophila tissue
Authors: Becker Lore , Nogueira Melanie Schmitt , Klima Caroline , de Angelis Martin Hrabe , Peleg Shahaf
Published: March 2018

Epigenetic deregulation, such as the reduction of histone acetylation levels, is thought to be causally linked to various maladies associated with aging. Consequently, histone deacetylase inhibitors are suggested to serve as epigenetic therapy by increasing histone acetylation. However, previous work suggests that many non-histone proteins, including metabolic enzymes, are also acetylated and that post transitional modifications may impact their activity. Furthermore, deacetylase inhibitors were recently shown to impact the acetylation of a variety of proteins. By utilizing a novel technique to measure oxygen consumption rate from whole living tissue, we demonstrate that treatment of whole living fly heads by the HDAC/KDAC inhibitors sodium butyrate and Trichostatin A, induces a rapid and transient increase of oxygen consumption rate. In addition, our study indicates that the rate increase is markedly attenuated in midlife fly head tissue. Overall, our data suggest that HDAC/KDAC inhibitors may induce enhanced mitochondrial activity in a rapid manner. This observed metabolic boost provides further, but novel evidence, that treating various maladies with deacetylase inhibitors may be beneficial.
Barbas Dienamines (2-Aminobuta-1,3-Dienes): Scope and Applications
Authors: Anebouselvy Kengadarane , Ramachary Dhevalapally B.
Published: March 2018

Since the discovery of the in situ generation of 2-aminobuta-1,3-dienes by the Barbas group, these moieties have been incessantly utilized in different [4+2]-cycloadditions and cascade reactions. Barbas dienamines have performed well in homo- and hetero-[4+2]-cycloadditions. Recently they were utilized in a Michael reaction also. A summary of the diverse catalytic methods of preparing Barbas dienamines with the help of various primary and secondary amines and their applications in making interesting and highly functionalized frameworks, such as spiroketones, bridged bicyclic compounds, sulfamate-fused 2,6-disubstituted piperidin-4-ones, tetrahydropyranones, β-nitrocyclohexanecarboxylic esters, spirocyclic oxindoles, etc., are presented. Further, these Barbas dienamines have been employed in the total synthesis of some complex natural products, like nominine, and in a few pharmaceutically important molecules, proving their significance.
Serebryakov–Jørgensen Dienamines (1-Aminobuta-1,3-Dienes): Different In situ Generation Methods and Applications in [2+2], [3+2] and a Few Other Cycloadditions
Authors: Anebouselvy Kengadarane , Ramachary Dhevalapally B.
Published: March 2018

Serebryakov–Jørgensen dienamines (1-aminobuta-1,3-dienes) have applications in several cycloadditions, such as [2+2]- and [3+2]-cycloadditions, and have furnished a broad spectrum of various structurally complex cyclobutanes, cyclopentanecarbaldehydes, tetrahydroquinolines, highly functionalized cyclohexenals and 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane frameworks with complete regio-, diastereo- and enantio-selectivity. The electron-rich dienamines formed invariably from enolizable α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, allyl ketones, substituted cyclopropylacetaldehydes and cyclic enones reacted as the 2π-reaction partners in [2+2]- and [3+2]-cycloadditions with electrophilic partners, including nitroolefins, α-hydroxymethylnitrostyrenes, methyleneindolinones and substituted C,N-cyclic azomethine imines. Moreover, the [3+2]-cycloaddition of these dienamine intermediates with azides created easy access to 1,4-disubstituted- and 1,4,5-trisubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles. Both cyclobutanes and five-membered ring systems are essential part structures of many natural products, as well as biologically and medicinally important compounds. Further, these in situ formed dienamine intermediates have been investigated for enantioselective [5+2]-cycloadditions, and formal [3+3]- and [5+3]-cycloadditions too.
Applications of Serebryakov–Jørgensen Dienamines (1-Aminobuta-1,3-Dienes) in Domino or Cascade Reactions
Authors: Anebouselvy Kengadarane , Ramachary Dhevalapally B.
Published: March 2018

Discussed here is the in situ generation of 1-aminobuta-1,3-dienes (Serebryakov–Jørgensen dienamine intermediates) along with a few other modes of activation of unsaturated carbonyl compounds and their potential in a sequence of reactions in a single pot. Designing and performing these cascade reactions was achievable due to the existence of different modes of activation under amine catalysis. Asymmetric synthesis of dihydrocoumarins, a variety of spirocyclic oxindoles, such as cyclopropane spirooxindoles, spiro-oxindolic cyclopentanes, spiro-oxindolic cyclohexanes containing six stereocenters and drug-like spiro[chroman-3,3′-indolin]-2′-ones, were easily achieved from these domino reactions. Further, Serebryakov–Jørgensen dienamines found foothold in highly regio- and stereo-selective asymmetric remote aziridination, atroposelective aldol condensation for the synthesis of axially chiral biaryls, an γ-alkylation–annulation sequence for access to few carbocyclic structures, a Morita–Baylis–Hillman/Michael/acetalization sequence for the asymmetric synthesis of fully substituted tetrahydropyran, and the intramolecular aldol condensation and Friedel–Crafts sequence for diheteroarylalkanal synthesis. Moreover, these dienamines were utilized in regio- and enantio-selective domino aldol-oxa-Michael reactions with salicylaldehydes for the construction of novel chroman derivatives possessing quaternary stereocenters.
Tetraenamine-catalyzed Stereoselective Cycloadditions of Polyunsaturated Carbonyl Compounds
Authors: Kumar Indresh , Ramachary Dhevalapally B.
Published: March 2018

The recent progress in the ability of amine catalysis to functionalize polyunsaturated carbonyl compounds was made possible by highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-raising or lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO)-lowering activations. In this context, the HOMO-raising dienamine and trienamine activation strategy has been explored extensively for the functionalization of polyconjugated carbonyl compounds at remote positions. This concept was recently stretched further to tetraenamine catalysis, a new activation strategy for amine-catalyzed HOMO-activation. The concept of tetraenamine catalysis is quite modern and only a few examples of the asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction are known so far. In this chapter, we will discuss the very first breakthroughs in the direction of tetraenamine catalysis.
Principles and applications of EPR spectroscopy in the chemical sciences
Authors: Roessler Maxie M. , Salvadori Enrico
Published: March 2018

This tutorial review provides a basic theoretical background and illustrates the chemical questions that may be answered using EPR spectroscopy through a representative range of examples.
Synthesis, crystallography, microstructure, crystal defects, and morphology of BixZn1−xO nanoparticles prepared by sol–gel technique
Authors: Hassanien A. S. , Akl Alaa A. , Sáaedi A. H.
Published: March 2018

This study was allocated to synthesis BixZn1−xO (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.06) nanoparticles. In addition, to study the microstructural properties, crystal imperfections and the morphology for these samples.
Single transition metal atom embedded into a MoS2 nanosheet as a promising catalyst for electrochemical ammonia synthesis
Authors: Zhao Jia , Zhao Jingxiang , Cai Qinghai
Published: March 2018

Mo-embedded MoS2 nanosheet can be employed as a NRR electrocatalyst with high-efficiency.
Contact engineering for 2D materials and devices
Authors: Schulman Daniel S. , Arnold Andrew J. , Das Saptarshi
Published: March 2018

Over the past decade, the field of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials has surged, promising a new platform for studying diverse physical phenomena that are scientifically intriguing and technologically relevant.
The impact of whole human blood on the kinetic inertness of platinum(iv) prodrugs – an HPLC-ICP-MS study
Authors: Theiner Sarah , Grabarics Márkó , Galvez Luis , Varbanov Hristo P. , Sommerfeld Nadine S. , Galanski Mathea S. , Keppler Bernhard K. , Koellensperger Gunda
Published: March 2018

The reductive biotransformation of platinum(iv) prodrugs was investigated in whole human blood by HPLC-ICP-MS.
Stepwise syntheses and supramolecular assemblies of a series of polyoxovanadate hybrids with various architectures
Authors: Huang Bo , Wang Nan , Yang Kang , Ke Degang , Fang Yajun , Hu Xunliang , Wu Baolin , Xiao Zicheng , Wu Pingfan , Wei Yongge
Published: March 2018

Inorganic–organic hybrids with carbon chains of different lengths at the terminus of the organic ligands exhibit supramolecular-assemblies in different dimensions.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of water-soluble Eu3+ hybrid carbon dots with enhanced fluorescence for the sensing of Hg2+ ions and imaging of fungal cells
Authors: Desai Mittal L. , Jha Sanjay , Basu Hirakendu , Singhal Rakesh Kumar , Sharma P. K. , Kailasa Suresh Kumar
Published: March 2018

Eu3+ ion hybrid carbon dots as a novel fluorescent probe for the assay of Hg2+ ions and cellular imaging of Fomitopsis sp.
Methylene-linked bis-phenylbenzimidazoles – a new scaffold to target telomeric DNA/RNA hybrid duplex
Authors: Islam M. K. , Jackson P. J. M. , Thurston D. E. , Rahman K. M.
Published: March 2018

A series of methylene-linked bis-phenylbenzimidazoles are reported that stabilize telomeric DNA/RNA hybrid structures while having negligible affinity for DNA/DNA duplexes.
Micellar chemotherapeutic platform based on a bifunctional salicaldehyde amphiphile delivers a “combo-effect” for heightened killing of MRSA
Authors: Dey Poulomi , Mukherjee Sandipan , Das Gopal , Ramesh Aiyagari
Published: March 2018

The dual activity of an antibiotic-loaded micellar arsenal, harnessed in tandem, snowballs into enhanced killing of MRSA and biofilm inhibition on surgical suture.
Bio-inspired drug delivery systems: an emerging platform for targeted cancer therapy
Authors: Ngandeu Neubi Gella Maelys , Opoku-Damoah Yaw , Gu Xiaochen , Han Yue , Zhou Jianping , Ding Yang
Published: March 2018

Bio-inspired platforms directly derived from biological sources are becoming a rapidly emerging field in the development of future anticancer therapeutics. The various platforms discussed are bacteria-based, virus-inspired, cell-derived, nanostructured lipid nanoparticles, and biomacromolecular drug delivery systems.
A black phosphorus nanosheet-based siRNA delivery system for synergistic photothermal and gene therapy
Authors: Wang Huimeng , Zhong Lin , Liu Yang , Xu Xin , Xing Chao , Wang Min , Bai Shu-Meng , Lu Chun-Hua , Yang Huang-Hao
Published: March 2018

A new siRNA delivery platform based on black phosphorus nanosheets is constructed which shows excellent therapy efficiency for tumors.
Zeolites with isolated-framework and oligomeric-extraframework hafnium species characterized with pair distribution function analysis
Authors: Iida Takayuki , Ohara Koji , Román-Leshkov Yuriy , Wakihara Toru
Published: March 2018

PDF analysis enabled the visualization and identification of framework and extraframework HfOxspecies in the post-synthetically produced *BEA zeolites.
Layered LiTiO2 for the protection of Li2S cathodes against dissolution: mechanisms of the remarkable performance boost
Authors: Wu Feixiang , Pollard Travis P. , Zhao Enbo , Xiao Yiran , Olguin Marco , Borodin Oleg , Yushin Gleb
Published: March 2018

Lithium sulfide (Li2S) cathodes have been viewed as very promising candidates for next-generation lightweight Li and Li-ion batteries.
C8-Guanine modifications: effect on Z-DNA formation and its role in cancer
Authors: Vongsutilers V. , Gannett P. M.
Published: March 2018

Participation of Z DNA in normal and disease related biological processes.