bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defining pathogenic verocytotoxin-producingEscherichia coli(VTEC) from cases of human infection in the European Union, 2007–2010
Authors: MESSENS W. , BOLTON D. , FRANKEL G. , LIEBANA E. , McLAUCHLIN J. , MORABITO S. , OSWALD E. , THRELFALL E. J.
Published: June 2014

During 2007–2010, 13 545 confirmed human verocytotoxin (VT)-producingEscherichia coli(VTEC) infections were reported in the European Union, including 777 haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) cases. Clinical manifestations were reported for 53% of cases, 64% of which presented with diarrhoea alone and 10% with HUS. Isolates from 85% of cases were not fully serotyped and could not be classified on the basis of the Karmali seropathotype concept. There is no single or combination of phenotypic or genetic marker(s) that fully define ‘pathogenic’ VTEC. Isolates which contain thevtx2(verocytotoxin 2) gene in combination with theeae(intimin-encoding) gene oraaiC(secreted protein of enteroaggregativeE. coli) andaggR(plasmid-encoded regulator) genes have been associated with a higher risk of more severe illness. A molecular approach targeting genes encoding VT and other virulence determinants is thus proposed to allow an assessment of the potential severity of disease that may be associated with a given VTEC isolate.
Physical activity and capacity at initiation of antiretroviral treatment in HIV patients in Ethiopia
Authors: OLSEN M. F. , KÆSTEL P. , TESFAYE M. , ABDISSA A. , YILMA D. , GIRMA T. , MØLGAARD C. , FAURHOLT-JEPSEN D. , CHRISTENSEN D. L. , BRAGE S. , ANDERSEN Å. B. , FRIIS H.
Published: June 2014

We described levels of habitual physical activity and physical capacity in HIV patients initiating antiretroviral treatment in Ethiopia and assessed the role of HIV and nutritional indicators on these outcomes. Physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and activity levels were measured with combined heart rate and movement sensors. Physical capacity was assessed by grip strength, sleeping heart rate and heart rate economy. Grip strength data was also available from a sex- and age-matched HIV-negative reference group. Median PAEE was 27·9 (interquartile range 17·4–39·8) kJ/kg per day and mean±s.d.grip strength was 23·6 ± 6·7 kg. Advanced HIV disease predicted reduced levels of both physical activity and capacity; e.g. each unit viral load [log(1+copies/ml)] was associated with –15% PAEE (P < 0·001) and –1·0 kg grip strength (P < 0·001). Grip strength was 4·2 kg lower in patients compared to HIV-negative individuals (P < 0·001). Low body mass index (BMI) predicted poor physical activity and capacity independently of HIV status, e.g. BMI <16 was associated with −42% PAEE (P < 0·001) and −6·8 kg grip strength (P < 0·001) compared to BMI ⩾18·5. The study shows that advanced HIV and malnutrition are associated with considerably lower levels of physical activity and capacity in patients at initiation of antiretroviral treatment.
Novel use of faecal sterols to assess human faecal contamination in Antarctica: a likelihood assessment matrix for environmental monitoring
Authors: Leeming Rhys , Stark Jonathan S. , Smith James J.
Published: June 2014

Wastewater containing human sewage is often discharged with little or no treatment into the Antarctic marine environment. Faecal sterols (primarily coprostanol) in sediments have been used for assessment of human sewage contamination in this environment, butin situproduction and indigenous faunal inputs can confound such determinations. Using gas chromatography with mass spectral detection profiles of both C27and C29sterols, potential sources of faecal sterols were examined in nearshore marine sediments, encompassing sites proximal and distal to the wastewater outfall at Davis Station. Faeces from indigenous seals and penguins were also examined. Faeces from several indigenous species contained significant quantities of coprostanol but not 24-ethylcoprostanol, which is present in human faeces.In situcoprostanol and 24-ethylcoprostanol production was identified by co-production of their respectiveepi-isomers at sites remote from the wastewater source and in high total organic matter sediments. A C29sterols-based polyphasic likelihood assessment matrix for human sewage contamination is presented, which distinguishes human from local fauna faecal inputs andin situproduction in the Antarctic environment. Sewage contamination was detected up to 1.5 km from Davis Station.
Effects of heat shock during the early stage of oocyte maturation on the meiotic progression, subsequent embryonic development and gene expression in ovine
Authors: Gharibzadeh Z. , Riasi A. , Ostadhosseini S. , Hosseini S.M. , Hajian M. , Nasr-Esfahani M.H.
Published: June 2014

Heat shock may affect different aspects of oocyte maturation and its subsequent development to the blastocyst stage. A series of in vitro experiments was performed to determine whether physiologically heat shock (41°C) disrupts the progression of the ovine oocytes through meiosis, activation and blastocyst formation. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from 2–6-mm follicles and cultured at 38.5°C (control) or 41°C (heat shock) for the first 12 h of maturation. The oocytes were incubated at 38.5°C during the last 10 h of maturation and 8 days after activation. Results showed that most of the oocytes matured under heat-shock conditions remained at the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) stage and they showed an aberrant chromatin configuration. After heat shock, oocyte diameter and time spent for zona pellucida dissolution increased (P < 0.05). The heat-shocked group had a higher percentage of oocytes with incomplete migration of cortical granules (P < 0.05). The heat-shock condition decreased (P < 0.05) cleavage rates (56.19 versus 89.28%) and morula formation (26.85 versus 37.81%). However, there was no significant difference in blastocyst formation and percentage of hatched blastocysts. At 12 h, heat shock had an adverse effect on embryo quality and reduced inner cell mass number (P < 0.05). Quantitative gene expression analysis showed greater transcripts (P < 0.05) for Na/K-ATPase mRNA in heat-shocked oocytes. To sum up, heat shock has disruptive effects on ovine oocyte maturation and can impair cellular and molecular factors that are important for embryo development.
Volume Shrinkage of Bone, Brain and Muscle Tissue in Sample Preparation for Micro-CT and Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy (LSFM)
Authors: Buytaert Jan , Goyens Jana , De Greef Daniel , Aerts Peter , Dirckx Joris
Published: June 2014

Two methods are especially suited for tomographic imaging with histological detail of macroscopic samples that consist of multiple tissue types (bone, muscle, nerve or fat): Light sheet (based) fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Micro-CT requires staining with heavy chemical elements (and thus fixation and sometimes dehydration) in order to make soft tissue imageable when measured alongside denser structures. LSMF requires fixation, decalcification, dehydration, clearing and staining with a fluorescent dye. The specimen preparation of both imaging methods is prone to shrinkage, which is often not mentioned, let alone quantified. In this paper the presence and degree of shrinkage are quantitatively identified for the selected preparation methods/stains. LSFM delivers a volume shrinkage of 17% for bone, 56% for muscle and 62% for brain tissue. The three most popular micro-CT stains (phosphotungstic acid, iodine with potassium iodide, and iodine in absolute ethanol) deliver a volume shrinkage ranging from 10 to 56% for muscle and 27–66% for brain, while bone does not shrink in micro-CT preparation.
Operand-Order Effect in Multiplication and Addition
Authors: Didino Daniele , Lombardi Luigi , Vespignani Francesco
Published: June 2014

Butterworth, Marchesini, and Girelli (2003) showed that children solved multiplications faster when the larger operand was first (e.g., 5 × 2) than when the smaller operand was first (e.g., 2 × 5). This result was interpreted according to the reorganization hypothesis, which states that, as children begin to switch from counting-based strategies (e.g., repeated additions) to direct retrieval, non-retrieval strategies generate an advantage for the larger-operand-first order. In two experiments we showed that order preferences also persist into adulthood. With additions, the larger-operand-first order was solved faster than the inverse order. With multiplications we obtained a novel result: Larger-operand-first problems were solved faster when at least one operand was smaller than 5, whereas smaller-operand-first problems were solved faster when both operands were larger than 5. Since the reorganization process alone cannot explain our results, we propose that order preferences are also influenced by the sequence in which the members of a commuted pair are acquired.
Ability for Voice Recognition Is a Marker for Dyslexia in Children
Authors: Perea Manuel , Jiménez María , Suárez-Coalla Paz , Fernández Nohemí , Viña Cecilia , Cuetos Fernando
Published: June 2014

A recent voice recognition experiment conducted by Perrachione, Del Tufo, and Gabrieli (2011) revealed that, in normal adult readers, the accuracy at identifying human voices was better in the participants’ mother tongue than in an unfamiliar language, while this difference was absent in a group of adults with dyslexia. This pattern favored a view of dyslexia as due to “fundamentally impoverished native-language phonological representations.” To further examine this issue, we conducted two voice recognition experiments, one with children with/without dyslexia, and the other with adults with/without dyslexia. Results revealed that children/adults with dyslexia were less accurate at identifying voices than normal readers and, importantly, this effect was independent of language. These data are more consistent with the assumption of dyslexia as due to a deficit in multisensory integration rather than a deficit based on impoverished native-language phonologically based representations.
A Bayesian Perspective on Estimation of Variability and Uncertainty in Mechanism‐Based Models
Authors: Leil TA
Published: June 2014

Mechanism‐based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models have a fundamental basis in biology and pharmacology and, thus, are useful for hypothesis generation and extrapolation beyond the conditions of the original analysis data. The complexity of these models necessitates the incorporation of prior knowledge to inform many of the model parameters. Markov chain Monte Carlo Bayesian estimation offers a robust and statistically rigorous approach for incorporation of prior information into mechanism‐based models. This article provides a perspective on the utility of this approach.

CPT Pharmacometrics Syst. Pharmacol. (2014) 3, e121; doi:10.1038/psp.2014.19; published online 25 June 2014
Alternative hypotheses to explain why biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships are concave-up in some natural ecosystems but concave-down in manipulative experiments
Authors: Mora Camilo , Danovaro Roberto , Loreau Michel
Published: June 2014

Recent studies of the relationship between biodiversity and functioning in marine ecosystems have yielded non-saturating patterns that contrast sharply with the results of experimental studies, where ecosystem functioning rapidly saturates with increases in biodiversity. Here we provide a simple theoretical framework of three alternative hypotheses that, individually or combined, are likely to explain this contrast: i) the use of functional richness instead of species richness, ii) an increased production efficiency of species in producing biomass when more ecological interactions are present and iii) the fact that communities are likely assembled in an ordered succession of species from low to high ecological efficiency. Our results provide theoretical support for concave-up biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in natural ecosystems and confirm that the loss of species can have substantially larger effects on the functioning of natural ecosystems than anticipated from controlled manipulative experiments.
Two distinct populations of Bovine IL-17+ T-cells can be induced and WC1+IL-17+γδ T-cells are effective killers of protozoan parasites
Authors: Peckham R. K. , Brill R. , Foster D. S. , Bowen A. L. , Leigh J. A. , Coffey T. J. , Flynn R. J.
Published: June 2014

IL-17 has emerged as a key player in the immune system, exhibiting roles in protection from infectious diseases and promoting inflammation in autoimmunity. Initially thought to be CD4 T-cell-derived, the sources of IL-17 are now known to be varied and belong to both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Mechanisms for inducing IL-17 production in lymphoid cells are thought to rely on appropriate antigenic stimulation in the context of TGF-β1, IL-6 and/or IL-1β. Using culture protocols adapted from human studies, we have effectively induced both bovine CD4+ and WC1+ γδ T-cells to produce IL-17 termed Th17 and γδ17 cells, respectively. The negative regulatory effect of IFN-γ on mouse and human IL-17 production can be extended to the bovine model, as addition of IFN-γ decreases IL-17 production in both cell types. Furthermore we show that infection with the protozoan Neospora caninum will induce fibroblasts to secrete pro-IL-17 factors thereby inducing a γδ17 phenotype that preferentially kills infected target cells. Our study identifies two T-cell sources of IL-17 and is the first to demonstrate a protective effect of IL-17+ T-cells in ruminants. Our findings offer further opportunities for future adjuvants or vaccines which could benefit from inducing these responses.
Productive encounter: molecularly imprinted nanoparticles prepared using magnetic templates
Authors: Berghaus Melanie , Mohammadi Reza , Sellergren Börje
Published: June 2014

Synthesis of core–shell nanoparticles in presence of a chiral template conjugated to magnetic particles leads to imprinted nanoparticles featuring enhanced affinity compared to nanoparticles prepared using free template.
The photo-thermal plasmonic effect in spin crossover@silica–gold nanocomposites
Authors: Suleimanov Iurii , Sánchez Costa José , Molnár Gábor , Salmon Lionel , Bousseksou Azzedine
Published: June 2014

Nanocomposite spin crossover materials with gold nanoparticles were synthesized and plasmon-enhanced photothermal spin state switching was evidenced using Raman spectroscopy.
Dendronized supramolecular polymers
Authors: Yan Jiatao , Li Wen , Zhang Afang
Published: June 2014

Supramolecular polymers from dendritic motifs combine the dynamic nature of supramolecular construction and inherent features from covalent dendronized polymers.
Nucleobase-functionalized ABC triblock copolymers: self-assembly of supramolecular architectures
Authors: Zhang Keren , Fahs Gregory B. , Aiba Motohiro , Moore Robert B. , Long Timothy E.
Published: June 2014

RAFT polymerization afforded acrylic ABC triblock copolymers with self-complementary nucleobase-functionalized external blocks and a low-Tg soft central block.
An H2O2-responsive nanocarrier for dual-release of platinum anticancer drugs and O2: controlled release and enhanced cytotoxicity against cisplatin resistant cancer cells
Authors: Chen Huachao , He Weijiang , Guo Zijian
Published: June 2014

Synergistic release of platinum anticancer drugs and O2 can be achieved in an H2O2-responsive nanocarrier incorporated with catalase. Such a system combines the advantages of chemotherapy and oxygen therapy and demonstrated improved therapeutic efficacy against cisplatin resistant cell lines which often appear to be in hypoxia.
Aldehyde group assisted thiolysis of dinitrophenyl ether: a new promising approach for efficient hydrogen sulfide probes
Authors: Huang Zijun , Ding Shuangshuang , Yu Dehuan , Huang Feihu , Feng Guoqiang
Published: June 2014

Combining fast nucleophilic addition of H2S to an aldehyde and thiolysis of dinitrophenyl ether, a new approach for efficient H2S probes was developed.
High-throughput colorimetric assays for mercury(ii) in blood and wastewater based on the mercury-stimulated catalytic activity of small silver nanoparticles in a temperature-switchable gelatin matrix
Authors: Sun Zongzhao , Zhang Ning , Si Yanmei , Li Shuai , Wen Jiangwei , Zhu Xiangbing , Wang Hua
Published: June 2014

Colorimetric mercury(ii) assays with 96-cell plates were achieved by the mercury-stimulated catalytic activity of small silver nanoparticles in switchable gelatin.
Thermo-regulated phase separable catalysis (TPSC)-based atom transfer radical polymerization in a thermo-regulated ionic liquid
Authors: Du Xiangyang , Pan Jinlong , Chen Mengting , Zhang Lifen , Cheng Zhenping , Zhu Xiulin
Published: June 2014

A thermo-regulated phase separable catalysis (TPSC) system for AGET ATRP based on a thermo-regulated ionic liquid was developed for the first time. The corresponding transition metal catalysts could be easily recovered and reused several times with negligible loss of catalytic activity.
Hybrid polymer micelles capable of cRGD targeting and pH-triggered surface charge conversion for tumor selective accumulation and promoted uptake
Authors: Hu Xiuli , Guan Xingang , Li Jing , Pei Qing , Liu Ming , Xie Zhigang , Jing Xiabin
Published: June 2014

Dual functional micelles combining active targeting (cRGD) and tumor microenvironment stimuli response used for Dox delivery.
A dual-emitting Cu6–Cu2–Cu6 cluster as a self-calibrated, wide-range luminescent molecular thermometer
Authors: Wang Jun-Hao , Li Mian , Zheng Ji , Huang Xiao-Chun , Li Dan
Published: June 2014

The union of two red-emitting cage-like clusters, Cu6Pz6 (Pz = pyrazolate), joined by a blue-emitting Cu2I2 cluster, allows internally referenced temperature sensing within a wide range (120–450 K).
Structural diversity and luminescence properties of coordination polymers based on mixed ligands, 2,5-bis(imidazol-1-yl)thiophene (thim2) and aromatic multicarboxylates
Authors: Singh Namita , Anantharaman Ganapathi
Published: June 2014

Seven new CPs, exhibiting 2D herringbone pleated (1, 3–4), parallel pleated (2), layer (5–6) structure and 3D network (7) have been synthesized. Solid-state photoluminescence properties for CP 1, 4 and 6 have been investigated.
Epitaxial growth and characterization of high-quality aluminum films on sapphire substrates by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Wang Wenliang , Yang Weijia , Liu Zuolian , Lin Yunhao , Zhou Shizhong , Qian Huirong , Wang Haiyan , Lin Zhiting , Li Guoqiang
Published: June 2014

2 inch high-quality Al epitaxial films with sharp and abrupt Al/Al2O3 interfaces have been grown on sapphire substrates by molecular beam epitaxy with an in-plane alignment of Al[11̄0]/Al2O3[11̄00].
Alcohol dimers – how much diagonal OH anharmonicity?
Authors: Kollipost Franz , Papendorf Kim , Lee Yu-Fang , Lee Yuan-Pern , Suhm Martin A.
Published: June 2014

The massive infrared attenuation and increased anharmonicity of OH stretching overtones in alcohol dimers is experimentally quantified.
Dramatic activities of vanadate intercalated bismuth doped LDH for solar light photocatalysis
Authors: Mohapatra Lagnamayee , Parida K. M.
Published: June 2014

Vanadate intercalated Zn/Bi layered double hydroxide photocatalysts showed excellent activity in a shorter time for degradation of organic pollutants.
Coke formation in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene by TEOM
Authors: Nederlof C. , Vijfhuizen P. , Zarubina V. , Melián-Cabrera I. , Kapteijn F. , Makkee M.
Published: June 2014

A packed bed microbalance reactor setup (TEOM-GC) is used to investigate the formation of coke as a function of time-on-stream on γ-Al2O3and 3P/SiO2catalyst samples under different conditions for the ODH reaction of ethylbenzene to styrene.
Hydrophobic microporous and mesoporous oxides as Brønsted and Lewis acid catalysts for biomass conversion in liquid water
Authors: Gounder Rajamani
Published: June 2014

Microporous and mesoporous silicates with internal or external hydrophobic surfaces show differences in catalytic reactivity and stability in liquid water.
Glycation is regulated by isoflavones
Authors: Silvan Jose Manuel , Srey Chou , Ames Jennifer M. , Dolores del Castillo Maria
Published: June 2014

The soy isoflavone-rich extract inhibitsin vitroformation ofNε-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML).
Nanoshuttles propelled by motor proteins sequentially assemble molecular cargo in a microfluidic device
Authors: Steuerwald Dirk , Früh Susanna M. , Griss Rudolf , Lovchik Robert D. , Vogel Viola
Published: June 2014

Shuttles under flow: the synergy of microfluidics and nanoshuttles yields a molecular assembly line that sequentially loads the microtubules with different supramolecular cargo.
Length-scale dependent transport properties of colloidal and protein solutions for prediction of crystal nucleation rates
Authors: Kalwarczyk Tomasz , Sozanski Krzysztof , Jakiela Slawomir , Wisniewska Agnieszka , Kalwarczyk Ewelina , Kryszczuk Katarzyna , Hou Sen , Holyst Robert
Published: June 2014

We propose a scaling law describing diffusion and viscosity in the solutions of colloids. We use our scaling law to predict crystal nucleation rates of hard-sphere colloids.
A quantitative study of the intracellular concentration of graphene/noble metal nanoparticle composites and their cytotoxicity
Authors: Zhou Xiangyan , Dorn Marco , Vogt Jürgen , Spemann Daniel , Yu Wei , Mao Zhengwei , Estrela-Lopis Irina , Donath Edwin , Gao Changyou
Published: June 2014

GO/AuNP and GO/AgNP composites were readily taken up by cells, resulting in higher intracellular metal concentration and subsequently higher cytotoxicity, compared to that of incubation with pure nanoparticles.
Transport across the cell-membrane dictates nanoparticle fate and toxicity: a new paradigm in nanotoxicology
Authors: Guarnieri Daniela , Sabella Stefania , Muscetti Ornella , Belli Valentina , Malvindi Maria Ada , Fusco Sabato , De Luca Elisa , Pompa Pier Paolo , Netti Paolo A.
Published: June 2014

Metal-containing nanoparticles are delivered to cells by a gene gun and “classical” endocytosis, finding that cytotoxicity is internalization mechanism dependent, being mainly caused by lysosomal degradation of nanoparticles.
Intriguing transmission electron microscopy images observed for perpendicularly oriented cylindrical microdomains of block copolymers
Authors: Ohnogi Hiroshi , Isshiki Toshiyuki , Sasaki Sono , Sakurai Shinichi
Published: June 2014

Intriguing images of dislocation structures were observed by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique for hexagonally packed cylindrical microdomains in a block copolymer (polystyrene-block-polyethylenebutylene-block-polystyrene triblock copolymer) film.
Electrochemically induced Fenton reaction of few-layer MoS2nanosheets: preparation of luminescent quantum dots via a transition of nanoporous morphology
Authors: Li Bang Lin , Chen Ling Xiao , Zou Hao Lin , Lei Jing Lei , Luo Hong Qun , Li Nian Bing
Published: June 2014

The morphologic changes of MoS2nanosheets in an electro-Fenton reaction resulted in the generation of luminescent quantum dots and nanoporous nanosheets.
Nanostructured metal sulfides for energy storage
Authors: Rui Xianhong , Tan Huiteng , Yan Qingyu
Published: June 2014

Advanced electrodes with a high energy density at high power are urgently needed for high-performance energy storage devices, including lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors (SCs), to fulfil the requirements of future electrochemical power sources for applications such as in hybrid electric/plug-in-hybrid (HEV/PHEV) vehicles.
Mutation of Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus secondary alcohol dehydrogenase at Trp-110 affects stereoselectivity of aromatic ketone reduction
Authors: Patel Jay M. , Musa Musa M. , Rodriguez Luis , Sutton Dewey A. , V. Popik Vladimir , Phillips Robert S.
Published: June 2014

Secondary alcohol dehydrogenase fromThermoanaerobacter ethanolicuswas mutated at Trp-110, and mutant enzymes with high activity and high stereoselectivity for aromatic ketone reduction were identified.
Conversion of S-phenylsulfonylcysteine residues to mixed disulfides at pH 4.0: utility in protein thiol blocking and in protein-S-nitrosothiol detection
Authors: Reeves B. D. , Joshi N. , Campanello G. C. , Hilmer J. K. , Chetia L. , Vance J. A. , Reinschmidt J. N. , Miller C. G. , Giedroc D. P. , Dratz E. A. , Singel D. J. , Grieco P. A.
Published: June 2014

A protocol denoted as the thiosulfonate switch featuring sequential protein thiol blocking and conversion of protein-S-nitrosothiols to mixed disulfides bearing a fluorescent probe at pH 4.0 is reported.
Effect of external electric fields on the phase behavior of colloidal silica rods
Authors: Kuijk Anke , Troppenz Thomas , Filion Laura , Imhof Arnout , van Roij René , Dijkstra Marjolein , van Blaaderen Alfons
Published: June 2014

We investigate, using experiments and computer simulations, the behavior of colloidal rods in external electric fields. We find stable para-nematic, para-smectic and crystalline phases.
Pyrazino[2,3-g]quinoxaline dyes for solar cell applications
Authors: Zhang Li-Peng , Jiang Ke-Jian , Li Gang , Zhang Qian-Qian , Yang Lian-Ming
Published: June 2014

Pyrazino[2,3-g]quinoxaline was first employed as a π-linker in D–π–A type dyes, exhibiting an unusually broad and intense spectral absorption ranged from the visible to the near infrared region.
A review on ‘self-cleaning and multifunctional materials’
Authors: Ragesh Prathapan , Anand Ganesh V. , Nair Shantikumar V. , Nair A. Sreekumaran
Published: June 2014

Self-cleaning and multifunctional materials are used in applications such as windows, solar panels, cements, paints, and textiles. This state-of-the-art review summarizes the materials involved in self-cleaning and multifunctional coatings.
A hybrid lead iodide perovskite and lead sulfide QD heterojunction solar cell to obtain a panchromatic response
Authors: Etgar Lioz , Gao Peng , Qin Peng , Graetzel Michael , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja
Published: June 2014

We report for the first time on co-sensitization between CH3NH3PbI3perovskite and PbS quantum dots (QDs) in a heterojunction solar cell to obtain a panchromatic response from the visible to near IR regions.
Self-assembly of one dimensional DNA-templated structures
Authors: Catherall T. , Huskisson D. , McAdams S. , Vijayaraghavan A.
Published: June 2014

Metallization of double stranded DNA for templated nanowire formation.
Multi-color emission evolution and energy transfer behavior of La3GaGe5O16:Tb3+,Eu3+phosphors
Authors: Zhou Jun , Xia Zhiguo
Published: June 2014

Color-tunable green-red emitting La3GaGe5O16:Tb3+,Eu3+phosphors were prepared and the energy transfer process was discussed.
The consensus-based approach for gene/enzyme replacement therapies and crystallization strategies: the case of human alanine–glyoxylate aminotransferase
Authors: Mesa-Torres Noel , Yunta Cristina , Fabelo-Rosa Israel , Gonzalez-Rubio Juana María , Sánchez-Ruiz José M. , Salido Eduardo , Albert Armando , Pey Angel L.
Published: June 2014

Protein stability is a fundamental issue in biomedical and biotechnological applications of proteins. Among these applications, gene- and enzyme-replacement strategies are promising approaches to treat inherited diseases that may benefit from protein engineering techniques, even though these beneficial effects have been largely unexplored. In the present study we apply a sequence-alignment statistics procedure (consensus-based approach) to improve the activity and stability of the human AGT (alanine–glyoxylate aminotransferase) protein, an enzyme which causes PH1 (primary hyperoxaluria type I) upon mutation. By combining only five consensus mutations, we obtain a variant (AGT-RHEAM) with largely enhanced in vitro thermal and kinetic stability, increased activity, and with no side effects on foldability and peroxisomal targeting in mammalian cells. The structure of AGT-RHEAM reveals changes at the dimer interface and improved electrostatic interactions responsible for increased kinetic stability. Consensus-based variants maintained the overall protein fold, crystallized more easily and improved the expression as soluble proteins in two different systems [AGT and CIPK24 (CBL-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase) SOS2 (salt-overly-sensitive 2)]. Thus the consensus-based approach also emerges as a simple and generic strategy to increase the crystallization success for hard-to-get protein targets as well as to enhance protein stability and function for biomedical applications.
Feasibility of global miRNA analysis from fine-needle biopsy FFPE material in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib
Authors: Peveling-Oberhag Jan , Döring Claudia , Hartmann Sylvia , Filmann Natalie , Mertens Angelika , Piiper Albrecht , Herrmann Eva , Hansmann Martin-Leo , Zeuzem Stefan , Trojan Jörg , Welker Martin-Walter
Published: June 2014

Sorafenib is the standard treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the median overall survival (OS) benefit is only ~3 months, and sufficient biomarkers predicting treatment response are not available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate miRNA expression patterns from HCC tissue biopsies as potential biomarkers in patients under sorafenib treatment. Nineteen patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib were included. RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) liver biopsies. miRNA expression profiling of 818 mature miRNAs was performed using GeneChip® miRNA Array 2.0 (Affymetrix). Global miRNA patterns were assessed using unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis (UCA), and specific miRNAs with correlation with disease control rate (DCR) or good OS were evaluated by pairwise supervised analyses. UCA divided the patients into three distinct groups by their miRNA expression patterns. However, DCR or OS did not correlate with these sub-groups. We have identified several miRNAs that correlated with either DCR or OS (P<0.05). However, with correction for multiple testing, these results did not reach statistical significance in this small cohort. Global miRNA analysis from very low input RNA deriving from liver biopsies showed distinctive clustering of molecular sub-groups in patients with intermediate and advanced HCC. Clinical response including OS under sorafenib did not correlate with global miRNA expression patterns, but we have identified candidate miRNAs for the prediction of DCR and OS to be evaluated in prospective studies and larger patient cohorts.
Alien crosstalk elimination in digital subscriber line systems
Authors: Al Amayreh Ahmad , Le Masson Jérôme , Hélard Maryline , Ouzzif Meryem
Published: June 2014

Elimination of alien crosstalk in coordinated digital subscriber line systems is investigated in this study. In the upstream, the process of crosstalk elimination may take advantage of available coordination at the receiver side. As the signal received at the coordinated terminals can be corrupted by alien crosstalk, the reception process involves passing the signals received at the coordinated terminals through a spatial whitening operation. As part of the contribution in this study, a method is proposed to obtain the spatial whitening filter coefficients. These coefficients are estimated from the cyclic spectrum of alien crosstalk received at the coordinated system terminals, where transmission at the coordinated system is controlled to allow separating the cyclic spectra of both coordinated system and alien crosstalk signals. This study includes evaluation of the whitening receiver performance taking into account the effects of estimation errors. Theoretical derivations are illustrated by numerical results obtained for VDSL2 application.
Low complexity user scheduling for multi‐antenna Gaussian broadcast systems with quality of service requirements
Authors: Li Junchao , Xia Weiwei , Martins Philippe , Shen Lianfeng
Published: June 2014

In this study, the authors propose a low complexity user scheduling for multi‐antenna broadcast systems with a large number of users with diverse delay‐quality of service (QoS) assurances. Owing to the exclusive user scheduling constraints, the optimisation is combinatorial. Furthermore, by adopting effective capacity and effective bandwidth to illustrate the behaviours of different traffic characteristics such as different source statistics and queue dynamics, the delay‐bound violation probability constraints can be converted into equivalent minimum data rate constraints. To reduce the computational complexity, they use genetic algorithm (GA) to perform scheduling, instead of a brute‐force exhaustive search (ES) over all possible user subsets. By comparing the complexity of GA and ES, they show that GA is a rapid, although suboptimal, option of performing user scheduling optimisation. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can not only maximise the achievable user sum data rate, but also keep the delay‐bound violation probability of each user below a given threshold.
Performance analysis of relay‐multiplexing scheme in cellular systems employing massive multiple‐input multiple‐output antennas
Authors: Akhlaq Assad , Sulyman Ahmed Iyanda , Hassanein Hossam , Alsanie Abdulhameed , Alshebeili Saleh A.
Published: June 2014

This study presents the symbol error probability (SEP) analysis of relay‐multiplexing scheme in relay‐assisted cellular systems such as the IEEE 802.16j and upcoming fifth generation (5G) systems. The availability of multiple relay paths in these systems motivates two relay configurations: (i) relay diversity and (ii) relay multiplexing. Available works in the literature have focused on the relay diversity methods. In this study, we explore the relay‐multiplexing alternative whereby relay stations (RSs) act as independent data pipes for transmitting multiple independent data streams from the base station (BS) to the mobile station (MS). We examine the case when the BS is equipped with massive multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) antennas, transmitting independent data streams to several MS simultaneously via different relay paths. We derive analytical expressions for the SEP performance of the proposed scheme, and also complement the analysis with simulations. The results show that parallel relaying of independent data streams via different RSs has acceptable SEP performance while boosting the capacity of the system linearly with the number of parallel RSs available in the system. The results also show that when this relaying approach is combined with the emerging massive MIMO techniques, a tremendous boost in data rate can be achieved.
Online visual tracking by integrating spatio‐temporal cues
Authors: He Yang , Pei Mingtao , Yang Min , Wu Yuwei , Jia Yunde
Published: June 2014

The performance of online visual trackers has improved significantly, but designing an effective appearance‐adaptive model is still a challenging task because of the accumulation of errors during the model updating with newly obtained results, which will cause tracker drift. In this study, the authors propose a novel online tracking algorithm by integrating spatio‐temporal cues to alleviate the drift problem. The authors' goal is to develop a more robust way of updating an adaptive appearance model. The model consists of multiple modules called temporal cues, and these modules are updated in an alternate way which can keep both the historical and current information of the tracked object to handle drastic appearance change. Each module is represented by several fragments called spatial cues. In order to incorporate all the spatial and temporal cues, the authors develop an efficient cue quality evaluation criterion that combines appearance and motion information. Then the tracking results are obtained by a two‐stage dynamic integration mechanism. Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations on challenging video sequences demonstrate that the proposed algorithm performs more favourably against the state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Ultrasound-triggered disruption and self-healing of reversibly cross-linked hydrogels for drug delivery and enhanced chemotherapy
Authors: Huebsch Nathaniel , Kearney Cathal J. , Zhao Xuanhe , Kim Jaeyun , Cezar Christine A. , Suo Zhigang , Mooney David J.
Published: June 2014

Significance

Drug-releasing polymers give clinicians the ability to deliver chemotherapy directly to tumors, sparing the rest of the body from toxic side effects. Most devices deliver a constant, unchangeable drug dose over time. However, we found that cancer cells are more sensitive to short-term, high-dose “bursts” of the chemotherapeutic mitoxantrone than to constant doses over longer periods, suggesting a benefit for implantable devices that allow external control over dose and timing. Biocompatible, injectable alginate hydrogels displayed the ability to self-heal damage induced by ultrasound pulses, enabling on-demand delivery of mitoxantrone, in vitro and in vivo, and mitoxantrone-loaded gels implanted near tumors were more effective at eliminating tumor growth when a daily pulse of ultrasound was applied.
Effects of Age at Treatment on Oxytetracycline Mark Formation in Larval Northern Pike
Authors: Rhoten Jason C. , Fisher Shannon J. , Logsdon Dale E. , Pittman Bruce J.
Published: June 2014

Oxytetracycline (OTC) immersion treatments were evaluated at the Waterville State Fish Hatchery (Waterville, Minnesota) for producing fluorescent marks on larval Northern Pike Esox lucius otoliths. A pilot marking trial conducted with 7-d-posthatch (dph) larvae resulted in poor mark efficacy and prompted further investigation on the treatment of younger larvae and modification of the treatment by use of osmotic induction to promote better mark formation. Northern Pike treated within 24 h post-hatch had significantly higher mark efficacies and marked otolith intensities than did Northern Pike treated at later life stages. Similar to the pilot marking trial, immersion of 7-dph fry in OTC solution resulted in poor mark efficacy, in which only 38% of the inspected fry possessed visible marks and most of the marks that were visible appeared faint. Simple immersion of newly hatched fry in OTC solution resulted in 91% marking success, and 65% of the visible marks appeared either clear or intense. The poorer mark efficacy on 7-dph fry suggests that differences in mark formation were more dependent on contemporaneous physiological processes than on otolith size. Osmotic induction prior to OTC immersion had a much weaker effect on mark intensity than did age-class of treatment in the study.

Received November 12, 2013; accepted March 30, 2014
A Semi-Automated Method for Monitoring Dam Passage of Upstream Migrant Yellow-Phase American Eels
Authors: Welsh Stuart A. , Aldinger Joni L.
Published: June 2014

Fish passage facilities at dams have become an important focus of fishery management in riverine systems. Given the personnel and travel costs associated with physical monitoring programs, automated or semi-automated systems are an attractive alternative for monitoring fish passage facilities. We designed and tested a semi-automated system for eel ladder monitoring at Millville Dam on the lower Shenandoah River, West Virginia. A motion-activated eel ladder camera (ELC) photographed each yellow-phase American Eel Anguilla rostrata that passed through the ladder. Digital images (with date and time stamps) of American Eels allowed for total daily counts and measurements of eel TL using photogrammetric methods with digital imaging software. We compared physical counts of American Eels with camera-based counts; TLs obtained with a measuring board were compared with TLs derived from photogrammetric methods. Data from the ELC were consistent with data obtained by physical methods, thus supporting the semi-automated camera system as a viable option for monitoring American Eel passage. Time stamps on digital images allowed for the documentation of eel passage time—data that were not obtainable from physical monitoring efforts. The ELC has application to eel ladder facilities but can also be used to monitor dam passage of other taxa, such as crayfishes, lampreys, and water snakes.

Received December 31, 2013; accepted March 11, 2014
Relationships between lower‐limb kinematics and block phase performance in a cross section of sprinters
Authors: Bezodis Neil Edward , Salo Aki Ilkka Tapio , Trewartha Grant
Published: June 2014

This study investigated lower‐limb kinematics to explain the techniques used to achieve high levels of sprint start performance. A cross‐sectional design was used to examine relationships between specific technique variables and horizontal external power production during the block phase. Video data were collected (200 Hz) at the training sessions of 16 sprinters who ranged in 100 m personal best times from 9.98 to 11.6 s. Each sprinter performed three 30 m sprints and reliable (all intraclass correlation coefficients, ICC(2,3) ≥ 0.89) lower‐limb kinematic data were obtained through manual digitising. The front leg joints extended in a proximal‐to‐distal pattern for 15 sprinters, and a moderate positive relationship existed between peak front hip angular velocity and block power (r = 0.49, 90% confidence limits = 0.08–0.76). In the rear leg, there was a high positive relationship between relative push duration and block power (r = 0.53, 90% confidence limits = 0.13–0.78). The rear hip appeared to be important; rear hip angle at block exit was highly related to block power (r = 0.60, 90% confidence limits = 0.23–0.82), and there were moderate positive relationships with block power for its range of motion and peak angular velocity (both r = 0.49, 90% confidence limits = 0.08–0.76). As increased block power production was not associated with any negative aspects of technique in the subsequent stance phase, sprinters should be encouraged to maximise extension at both hips during the block phase.
Impairment of gaze-directed spatial coding in recent-onset schizophrenia
Authors: Röder Christian H. , Dieleman Sieds , Mohr Harald , Sterrenburg Anje , van Beveren Nico , Linden David E. J.
Published: June 2014

Patients with schizophrenia show deficits in core cognitive functions as well as in social cognition. The aim of the present study was to test whether deficits in social cognition influence nonsocial, “cold”, cognition. Thirty-five patients with recent-onset schizophrenia (SC) and 30 healthy controls (HC) performed a Simon task with social and simple geometric stimuli. We investigated whether the Simon effect, the slowing of reaction times produced by stimulus incongruities in the task-irrelevant spatial domain, differs between patients and healthy participants as a function of the social nature of the cues. The Simon effect was generated by a schematic drawing of human eyes (social cues) or rectangles (nonsocial cues). Overall, patients had longer reaction times than HC. In the eye-like condition, the Simon effect was significantly stronger for HC than for SC. In HC the Simon effect was significantly stronger in the eye-like than in the rectangle condition. In patients, the Simon effect did not differ significantly between both conditions. Thus, the influence of social cues was greatly reduced in the patient group. Current psychopathology or antipsychotic treatment did not influence results. The present study supports earlier findings of altered processing of schematic social cues in patients with schizophrenia, especially when gaze is task-irrelevant.
L2 vs. L1 Use of Synonymy: An Empirical Study of Synonym Use/Acquisition
Authors: Liu Dilin , Zhong Shouman
Published: June 2014

Synonymy is important but difficult for language learners to grasp. Using a forced-choice question instrument, along with corpus data as reference, this study examines the use of four sets of synonyms by intermediate/advanced Chinese EFL/ESL learners and native English speakers. The data analyses reveal several key findings, including a general synonym acquisition trajectory. First, synonyms are often differentiated by their typical collocates; hence, the acquisition of synonyms is largely the learning of their salient collocates. Secondly, construal of the communicative purpose/context at hand also plays an important role in synonym selection. Thirdly, EFL/ESL learners begin to show some grasp of the salient usages/meanings of synonyms, and their grasp of synonyms advances significantly as their English proficiency increases to advanced level, but advanced learners still exhibit difficulties in synonym use, including an inadequate ability in forming context-called-for unique construals. Fourthly, frequency plays a crucial role in synonym acquisition, as low-frequency synonyms and salient synonym collocation usages with a low raw frequency are especially difficult for L2 learners. Implications for pedagogy and future research are also discussed.
Fusarium poae Pathogenicity and Mycotoxin Accumulation on Selected Wheat and Barley Genotypes at a Single Location in Argentina
Authors: Stenglein Sebastian A. , Dinolfo María I. , Barros Germán , Bongiorno Fabricio , Chulze Sofía N. , Moreno María V.
Published: June 2014

Fusarium poae is a relatively weak pathogen with increasing importance in cereal grains, principally due to its capacity to produce several mycotoxins. In this study, we evaluated the pathogenicity and toxin accumulation of individual F. poae isolates on wheat and barley under natural conditions for 3 years. Analysis of variance demonstrated significant differences for year–genotype, year–isolate, genotype–isolate, and year–genotype–isolate interactions for both incidence and disease severity. Based on contrast analysis, ‘Apogee’ was more susceptible than the other wheat genotypes, wheat genotypes were more susceptible than barley genotypes, durum wheat genotypes were more susceptible than bread wheat genotypes, and barley genotype ‘Scarlett’ had greater symptom development per spike than the other barley genotypes. Neither HT-2 nor T-2 toxins were detected in the grain samples. However, high levels of nivalenol were found in both wheat and barley samples. The increased reported isolation of F. poae from wheat and barley and the high capacity of this fungus to produce nivalenol underlie the need for more studies on F. poae–host interactions, especially for barley.
Resistance in Alternaria alternata to SDHI Fungicides Causes Rare Disease Outbreak in Peach Orchards
Authors: Yang J. H. , Brannen P. M. , Schnabel G.
Published: June 2014

Alternaria rot, caused by Alternaria alternata, was observed in commercial peach orchards in South Carolina. Single-spore isolates formed two phenotypically different culture morphologies on two artificial media. Isolates highly resistant (HR) to boscalid were also HR to penthiopyrad. Among isolates HR and medium resistant (MR) to boscalid and penthiopyrad, we detected isolates that were MR to fluopyram and HR to fluxapyroxad. Sequence analysis of succinate dehydrogenase (sdh) genes sdhB, sdhC, and sdhD revealed that resistant phenotypes were associated with point mutations leading to amino acid substitutions. In particular, H277Y/R in the SDHB and H134R in SDHC were consistently associated with the boscalid HR phenotype. The highest effective concentration that inhibits growth by 50% (EC50) values to penthiopyrad were conferred by H134R and D123E, whereas H134R conferred low resistance and MR to fluxapyroxad. A previously undescribed mutation, G79R, was identified in our collection conferring HR to both boscalid and penthiopyrad. The point mutations associated with highest EC50 values to all four FRAC 7 fungicides were H277L and H134R. The outbreak of Alternaria rot demonstrates that fungicide programs containing “medium to high-risk fungicides” may promote disease outbreaks by secondary pathogens that typically are outcompeted or controlled effectively, while still controlling the primary target disease.