bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hoarding: Symptom oder Syndrom?
Authors: Maier Thomas
Published: May 2017

Zusammenfassung. Unter «Hoarding» versteht man ein Verhalten, das gekennzeichnet ist durch exzessives Anhäufen und die Unfähigkeit zum Entsorgen einer grossen Menge von Gegenständen. Dem Verhaltensmuster können unterschiedliche psychopathologische Mechanismen zu Grunde liegen. Hoarding kann im Rahmen zahlreicher psychischer und neurologischer Störungen auftreten, es kommt aber auch ohne zusätzliche klinische Diagnose vor. Das Verhalten kann zu erheblichen sozialen, hygienischen und feuerpolizeilichen Schwierigkeiten führen, im Extremfall vermüllt der gesamte Wohnbereich und wird unbenutzbar. Oft ist Hoarding die Folge des irrationalen Gedankens, man könnte die Gegenstände eventuell später noch brauchen und sollte sie deshalb besser nicht wegwerfen. Im Unterschied zu echten Zwangsgedanken fehlt diesem Nicht-wegwerfen-Können aber der intrusive und ich-dystone Charakter. Im DSM-5 ist «hoarding disorder» neu als eigenständige Entität bei den Zwangsspektrumsstörungen aufgeführt.
CME: Störung durch Alkohol? Vorgehen bei Verdacht auf Alkoholabhängigkeitssyndrom
Authors: Saissi Franziska , Caflisch Carlo
Published: May 2017

Zusammenfassung. Alkoholkonsum ist in der Schweiz weit verbreitet; nur ein geringer Teil der Bevölkerung lebt abstinent, rund 250 000 Personen sind alkoholabhängig. Der gesundheitliche und wirtschaftliche Schaden durch Alkohol ist signifikant. Gleichzeitig stellen Erkennung und Behandlung alkoholbedingter Störungen eine grosse Herausforderung für die Grundversorger dar. Das ärztliche Gespräch bleibt dabei wichtigstes diagnostisches und therapeutisches Instrument, Laborwerte und Fragebögen können eine ergänzende Rolle spielen. In der sich traditionell in akut und postakut untergliedernden Behandlung stellt die wichtigste Neuerung der vergangenen Jahre die Anerkennung der Trinkmengenreduktion als zumindest intermediäres Behandlungsziel dar. In Prävention und Erkennung alkoholbezogener Störungen kommt den Grundversorgern eine Schlüsselrolle zu, weshalb die Kenntnis möglicher Interventionsmöglichkeiten essentiell ist.
Erhebung sportartspezifischer Motivausprägungen bei sportlich aktiven Personen mit dem Berner Motiv- und Zielinventar (BMZI)
Authors: Ley Clemens , Krenn Björn
Published: May 2017

Zusammenfassung. Zur Initialisierung und Aufrechterhaltung der Ausübung einer Sportart scheint die Passung individueller Motivausprägungen mit den Anreizen der jeweiligen Sportart essentiell. Eine valide Erhebung der Motive sowie fundierte Erkenntnisse über die Anreize diverser Sportarten können zur Optimierung beitragen. Ziel dieser Studie war die Überprüfung des Berner Motiv- und Zielinventars (BMZI) bei sportlich aktiven Erwachsenen sowie die Analyse dessen Qualität für eine Ausdifferenzierung sportartspezifischer Motivausprägungen. In einer Online-Umfrage nahmen 2 194 Personen teil. Die faktorenanalytische Überprüfung des BMZI an der Alterskohorte der 35 – 65-Jährigen bestätigte die 7-faktorielle Struktur auch bei einer sportartspezifischen Abfrage. Der Modellfit erwies sich mit der empfohlenen Itemzuordnung als grenzwertig, weshalb zwei Items exkludiert wurden. Die anschließende Kreuzvalidierung zeigte einen guten bis akzeptablen Modellfit und verweist auf eine Anwendbarkeit des adaptierten BMZI auch an einer jüngeren Stichprobe (18 – 34-Jährige). Die multivariate Kovarianzanalyse offenbarte signifikante Unterschiede in den Motivausprägungen der untersuchten Sportarten. Die Ergebnisse legen eine geringfügige Modifizierung des BMZI bei der sportartspezifischen Anwendung bei sportlich aktiven Erwachsenen nahe.
Defining Opportunities for Collaboration Across Data Life Cycles
Authors: Weltzin Jake , Bayer Jennifer , Scully Rebecca
Published: May 2017

Developing Enterprise Tools and Capacities for Large-Scale Natural Resource Monitoring; Fort Collins, Colorado, 12–13 October 2016
Histone variant H2A.J accumulates in senescent cells and promotes inflammatory gene expression
Authors: Contrepois Kévin , Coudereau Clément , Benayoun Bérénice A. , Schuler Nadine , Roux Pierre-François , Bischof Oliver , Courbeyrette Régis , Carvalho Cyril , Thuret Jean-Yves , Ma Zhihai , Derbois Céline , Nevers Marie-Claire , Volland Hervé , Redon Christophe E. , Bonner William M. , Deleuze Jean-François , Wiel Clotilde , Bernard David , Snyder Michael P. , Rübe Claudia E. , Olaso Robert , Fenaille François , Mann Carl
Published: May 2017

The senescence of mammalian cells is characterized by a proliferative arrest in response to stress and the expression of an inflammatory phenotype. Here we show that histone H2A.J, a poorly studied H2A variant found only in mammals, accumulates in human fibroblasts in senescence with persistent DNA damage. H2A.J also accumulates in mice with aging in a tissue-specific manner and in human skin. Knock-down of H2A.J inhibits the expression of inflammatory genes that contribute to the senescent-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and over expression of H2A.J increases the expression of some of these genes in proliferating cells. H2A.J accumulation may thus promote the signalling of senescent cells to the immune system, and it may contribute to chronic inflammation and the development of aging-associated diseases.
Senescent tumor cells lead the collective invasion in thyroid cancer
Authors: Kim Young Hwa , Choi Yong Won , Lee Jeonghun , Soh Euy Young , Kim Jang-Hee , Park Tae Jun
Published: May 2017

Cellular senescence has been perceived as a barrier against carcinogenesis. However, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) of senescent cells can promote tumorigenesis. Here, we show senescent tumour cells are frequently present in the front region of collective invasion of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), as well as lymphatic channels and metastatic foci of lymph nodes. In in vitro invasion analysis, senescent tumour cells exhibit high invasion ability as compared with non-senescent tumour cells through SASP expression. Collective invasion in PTC is led by senescent tumour cells characterized by generation of a C-X-C-motif ligand (CXCL)12 chemokine gradient in the front region. Furthermore, senescent cells increase the survival of cancer cells via CXCL12/CXCR4 signalling. An orthotopic xenograft in vivo model also shows higher lymphatic vessels involvement in the group co-transplanted with senescent cells and cancer cells. These findings suggest that senescent cells are actively involved in the collective invasion and metastasis of PTC.
Climate warming reduces the temporal stability of plant community biomass production
Authors: Ma Zhiyuan , Liu Huiying , Mi Zhaorong , Zhang Zhenhua , Wang Yonghui , Xu Wei , Jiang Lin , He Jin-Sheng
Published: May 2017

Anthropogenic climate change has emerged as a critical environmental problem, prompting frequent investigations into its consequences for various ecological systems. Few studies, however, have explored the effect of climate change on ecological stability and the underlying mechanisms. We conduct a field experiment to assess the influence of warming and altered precipitation on the temporal stability of plant community biomass in an alpine grassland located on the Tibetan Plateau. We find that whereas precipitation alteration does not influence biomass temporal stability, warming lowers stability through reducing the degree of species asynchrony. Importantly, biomass temporal stability is not influenced by plant species diversity, but is largely determined by the temporal stability of dominant species and asynchronous population dynamics among the coexisting species. Our findings suggest that ongoing and future climate change may alter stability properties of ecological communities, potentially hindering their ability to provide ecosystem services for humanity.
A Highly Potent Class of Halogenated Phenazine Antibacterial and Biofilm-Eradicating Agents Accessed Through a Modular Wohl-Aue Synthesis
Authors: Yang Hongfen , Abouelhassan Yasmeen , Burch Gena M. , Kallifidas Dimitris , Huang Guangtao , Yousaf Hussain , Jin Shouguang , Luesch Hendrik , Huigens Robert W.
Published: May 2017

Unlike individual, free-floating planktonic bacteria, biofilms are surface-attached communities of slow- or non-replicating bacteria encased within a protective extracellular polymeric matrix enabling persistent bacterial populations to tolerate high concentrations of antimicrobials. Our current antibacterial arsenal is composed of growth-inhibiting agents that target rapidly-dividing planktonic bacteria but not metabolically dormant biofilm cells. We report the first modular synthesis of a library of 20 halogenated phenazines (HP), utilizing the Wohl-Aue reaction, that targets both planktonic and biofilm cells. New HPs, including 6-substituted analogues, demonstrate potent antibacterial activities against MRSA, MRSE and VRE (MIC = 0.003–0.78 µM). HPs bind metal(II) cations and demonstrate interesting activity profiles when co-treated in a panel of metal(II) cations in MIC assays. HP 1 inhibited RNA and protein biosynthesis while not inhibiting DNA biosynthesis using 3H-radiolabeled precursors in macromolecular synthesis inhibition assays against MRSA. New HPs reported here demonstrate potent eradication activities (MBEC = 0.59–9.38 µM) against MRSA, MRSE and VRE biofilms while showing minimal red blood cell lysis or cytotoxicity against HeLa cells. PEG-carbonate HPs 24 and 25 were found to have potent antibacterial activities with significantly improved water solubility. HP small molecules could have a dramatic impact on persistent, biofilm-associated bacterial infection treatments.
Triplet Cooper pairs induced in diffusive s-wave superconductors interfaced with strongly spin-polarized magnetic insulators or half-metallic ferromagnets
Authors: Ouassou Jabir Ali , Pal Avradeep , Blamire Mark , Eschrig Matthias , Linder Jacob
Published: May 2017

Interfacing superconductors with strongly spin-polarized magnetic materials opens the possibility to discover new spintronic devices in which spin-triplet Cooper pairs play a key role. Motivated by the recent derivation of spin-polarized quasiclassical boundary conditions capable of describing such a scenario in the diffusive limit, we consider the emergent physics in hybrid structures comprised of a conventional s-wave superconductor (e.g. Nb, Al) and either strongly spin-polarized ferromagnetic insulators (e.g. EuO, GdN) or halfmetallic ferromagnets (e.g. CrO2, LCMO). In contrast to most previous works, we focus on how the superconductor itself is influenced by the proximity effect, and how the generated triplet Cooper pairs manifest themselves in the self-consistently computed density of states (DOS) and the superconducting critical temperature T
c
. We provide a comprehensive treatment of how the superconductor and its properties are affected by the triplet pairs, demonstrating that our theory can reproduce the recent observation of an unusually large zero-energy peak in a superconductor interfaced with a half-metal, which even exceeds the normal-state DOS. We also discuss the recent observation of a large superconducting spin-valve effect with a T
c
change ~1 K in superconductor/half-metal structures, in which case our results indicate that the experiment cannot be explained fully by a long-ranged triplet proximity effect.
The potential use of cuticular hydrocarbons and multivariate analysis to age empty puparial cases of Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata
Authors: Moore Hannah E. , Pechal Jennifer L. , Benbow M. Eric , Drijfhout Falko P.
Published: May 2017

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC) have been successfully used in the field of forensic entomology for identifying and ageing forensically important blowfly species, primarily in the larval stages. However in older scenes where all other entomological evidence is no longer present, Calliphoridae puparial cases can often be all that remains and therefore being able to establish the age could give an indication of the PMI. This paper examined the CHCs present in the lipid wax layer of insects, to determine the age of the cases over a period of nine months. The two forensically important species examined were Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata. The hydrocarbons were chemically extracted and analysed using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry. Statistical analysis was then applied in the form of non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis (NMDS), permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) and random forest models. This study was successful in determining age differences within the empty cases, which to date, has not been establish by any other technique.
What the skull and scapular morphology of the dugong (Dugong dugon) can tell us: sex, habitat and body length?
Authors: Nganvongpanit Korakot , Buddhachat Kittisak , Kaewmong Patcharaporn , Cherdsukjai Phaothep , Kittiwatanawong Kongkiat
Published: May 2017

The dugong (Dugong dugon, Müller) is an endangered marine mammal species. We examined the relationship between sex, habitat and body length based on the skull and scapular morphology and morphometrics of 81 dugong samples in Thailand. A total of 58 parameters from the skull and scapula (25 from the cranium, 23 from the mandible and 10 from the scapula) as well as tusks were used in this study. Data were analyzed by univariate analysis, followed by discriminant analysis and multivariate linear regression. Here we show, 100% and 98.5% accuracy rates for sexing using large tusks and the skull, respectively. Scapular morphology using the caudal border tubercle and coracoid process showed 91.30% and 96.15% accuracy rates for identifying males and females. Skull morphometrics could categorize dugong habitat, i.e. living in the Andaman Sea or Gulf of Thailand, with 100% accuracy. Moreover, our model could be used to estimate body length with coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.985. The results of our study showed that skull morphology and morphometric measurements could be used as a tool for sex identification, location identification and estimation of body length. But scapular morphology is the best tool for sex identification in dugongs.
Floccular fossa size is not a reliable proxy of ecology and behaviour in vertebrates
Authors: Ferreira-Cardoso S. , Araújo R. , Martins N. E. , Martins G. G. , Walsh S. , Martins R. M. S. , Kardjilov N. , Manke I. , Hilger A. , Castanhinha R.
Published: May 2017

The cerebellar floccular and parafloccular lobes are housed in fossae of the periotic region of the skull of different vertebrates. Experimental evidence indicates that the lobes integrate visual and vestibular information and control the vestibulo-ocular reflex, vestibulo-collic reflex, smooth pursuit and gaze holding. Multiple paleoneuroanatomy studies have deduced the behaviour of fossil vertebrates by measuring the floccular fossae (FF). These studies assumed that there are correlations between FF volume and behaviour. However, these assumptions have not been fully tested. Here, we used micro-CT scans of extant mammals (47 species) and birds (59 species) to test six possible morphological-functional associations between FF volume and ecological/behavioural traits of extant animals. Behaviour and ecology do not explain FF volume variability in four out of six variables tested. Two variables with significant results require further empirical testing. Cerebellum plasticity may explain the lack of statistical evidence for the hypotheses tested. Therefore, variation in FF volume seems to be better explained by a combination of factors such as anatomical and phylogenetic evolutionary constraints, and further empirical testing is required.
Tree-ring widths are good proxies of annual variation in forest productivity in temperate forests
Authors: Xu Kai , Wang Xiangping , Liang Penghong , An Hailong , Sun Han , Han Wei , Li Qiaoyan
Published: May 2017

Tree rings have long been used to calibrate the net primary production (NPP) time-series predicted by process-based models, based on an implicit assumption that ring-width indices (RWI) can well reflect temporal NPP change. However, this assumption has seldom been tested systematically. In this study, 36 plots were set in three forest types from four sites along a latitudinal gradient in northeast China. For each plot, we constructed chronologies and stand NPP of the past 20 years to examine: is RWI a good proxy of inter-annual variation of forest NPP for different forest types under different climate? If it is, why? Our results indicate that RWI was closely related to stand NPP in most cases, and could be used as a good proxy of NPP in temperate forests. Standard and arstan chronologies were better related to NPP series than residual chronology. Stand NPP time-series were mainly determined by large trees, and the correlation between RWI and NPP was also higher for larger trees. We suggest that large trees and dominant species of canopy layer should be sampled for chronology construction. Large trees are major contributors of forest biomass and productivity, and should have priority in forest conservation in a rapid-warming world.
Hyponatremia upon presentation to the emergency department – the need for urgent neuroimaging studies
Authors: Bokemeyer Arne , Dziewas Rainer , Wiendl Heinz , Schwindt Wolfram , Bicsán Paul , Kümpers Philipp , Pavenstädt Hermann
Published: May 2017

This study aims to evaluate the necessity of urgent neuroimaging for emergency admissions exhibiting symptomatology of profound hyponatremia. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all patients admitted to the emergency room of the University Hospital Münster from 2010 to 2014 with a serum sodium value < 125 mmol/L. From 52918 emergency admissions, 261 patients with profound hyponatremia were identified, of whom 140 (54%) had neurological symptoms. Unspecific weakness and confusion were the most prevalent of these symptoms (59%). Focal neurological signs [FNS] were present in 31% of cases and neuroimaging was performed in 68% (95/140) of symptomatic patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified FNS, seizures, altered consciousness and age as independent predictors for conducting neuroimaging (all p < 0.05). Significant pathological findings consistent with acute symptomatology were evident in 17 cases, all of whom had FNS. Recursive partitioning analyses confirmed FNS as the best predictor of neuroimaging pathology (p < 0.001). Absence of FNS had a negative predictive value of 100% [95% confidence interval: 93–100%] for excluding neuroimaging pathology. In conclusion, emergency patients with profound hyponatremia frequently show nonspecific-neurological symptoms and may undergo neuroimaging unnecessarily. The lack of FNS may serve as a valuable criterion for withholding neuroimaging until hyponatremia has been corrected.
Nearly Perfect Durable Superhydrophobic Surfaces Fabricated by a Simple One-Step Plasma Treatment
Authors: Ryu Jeongeun , Kim Kiwoong , Park JooYoung , Hwang Bae Geun , Ko YoungChul , Kim HyunJoo , Han JeongSu , Seo EungRyeol , Park YongJong , Lee Sang Joon
Published: May 2017

Fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces is an area of great interest because it can be applicable to various engineering fields. A simple, safe and inexpensive fabrication process is required to fabricate applicable superhydrophobic surfaces. In this study, we developed a facile fabrication method of nearly perfect superhydrophobic surfaces through plasma treatment with argon and oxygen gases. A polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet was selected as a substrate material. We optimized the fabrication parameters to produce superhydrophobic surfaces of superior performance using the Taguchi method. The contact angle of the pristine PTFE surface is approximately 111.0° ± 2.4°, with a sliding angle of 12.3° ± 6.4°. After the plasma treatment, nano-sized spherical tips, which looked like crown-structures, were created. This PTFE sheet exhibits the maximum contact angle of 178.9°, with a sliding angle less than 1°. As a result, this superhydrophobic surface requires a small external force to detach water droplets dripped on the surface. The contact angle of the fabricated superhydrophobic surface is almost retained, even after performing an air-aging test for 80 days and a droplet impacting test for 6 h. This fabrication method can provide superb superhydrophobic surface using simple one-step plasma etching.
Lung Cancer Screening Based on Type-different Sensor Arrays
Authors: Li Wang , Liu Hongying , Xie Dandan , He Zichun , Pi Xititan
Published: May 2017

In recent years, electronic nose (e-nose) systems have become a focus method for diagnosing pulmonary diseases such as lung cancer. However, principles and patterns of sensor responses in traditional e-nose systems are relatively homogeneous. Less study has been focused on type-different sensor arrays. In this paper, we designed a miniature e-nose system using 14 gas sensors of four types and its subsequent analysis of 52 breath samples. To investigate the performance of this system in identifying and distinguishing lung cancer from other respiratory diseases and healthy controls, five feature extraction algorithms and two classifiers were adopted. Lastly, the influence of type-different sensors on the identification ability of e-nose systems was analyzed. Results indicate that when using the LDA fuzzy 5-NN classification method, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of discriminating lung cancer patients from healthy controls with e-nose systems are 91.58%, 91.72% and 91.59%, respectively. Our findings also suggest that type-different sensors could significantly increase the diagnostic accuracy of e-nose systems. These results showed e-nose system proposed in this study was potentially practicable in lung cancer screening with a favorable performance. In addition, it is important for type-different sensors to be considered when developing e-nose systems.
Phosphoproteome Analysis Reveals Phosphorylation Underpinnings in the Brains of Nurse and Forager Honeybees (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Bezabih Gebreamlak , Cheng Han , Han Bin , Feng Mao , Xue Yu , Hu Han , Li Jianke
Published: May 2017

The honeybee brain is a central organ in regulating wide ranges of honeybee biology, including life transition from nurse to forager bees. Knowledge is still lacking on how protein phosphorylation governs the neural activity to drive the age-specific labor division. The cerebral phosphoproteome of nurse and forager honeybees was characterized using Ti4+-IMAC phosphopeptide enrichment mass-spectrometry-based proteomics and protein kinases (PKs) were predicted. There were 3,077 phosphosites residing on 3,234 phosphopeptides from 1004 phosphoproteins in the nurse bees. For foragers the numbers were 3,056, 3,110, and 958, respectively. Notably, among the total 231 PKs in honeybee proteome, 179 novel PKs were predicted in the honeybee brain, of which 88 were experimentally identified. Proteins involved in wide scenarios of pathways were phosphorylated depending on age: glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, AGE/RAGE and phosphorylation in nurse bees and metal ion transport, ATP metabolic process and phototransduction in forager bees. These observations suggest that phosphorylation is vital to the tuning of protein activity to regulate cerebral function according to the biological duties as nursing and foraging bees. The data provides valuable information on phosphorylation signaling in the honeybee brain and potentially useful resource to understand the signaling mechanism in honeybee neurobiology and in other social insects as well.
Transgenic Bt rice lines producing Cry1Ac, Cry2Aa or Cry1Ca have no detrimental effects on Brown Planthopper and Pond Wolf Spider
Authors: Niu Lin , Mannakkara Amani , Qiu Lin , Wang Xiaoping , Hua Hongxia , Lei Chaoliang , Jurat-Fuentes Juan Luis , Ma Weihua
Published: May 2017

Transgenic rice expressing cry genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt rice) is highly resistant to lepidopteran pests. The brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens) is the main non-target sap-sucking insect pest of Bt transgenic rice. The pond wolf spider (PWS, Pardosa pseudoannulata) is one of the most dominant predators of BPH in rice fields. Consequently, the safety evaluation of Bt rice on BPH and PWS should be conducted before commercialization. In the current study, two experiments were performed to assess the potential ecological effects of Bt rice on BPH and PWS: (1) a tritrophic experiment to evaluate the transmission of Cry1Ac, Cry2Aa and Cry1Ca protein in the food chain; and (2) binding assays of Cry1Ac, Cry2Aa and Cry1Ca to midgut brush border membrane proteins from BPH and PWS. Trace amounts of the three Cry proteins were detected in BPH feeding on Bt rice cultivars, but only Cry1Ac and Cry2Aa proteins could be transferred to PWS through feeding on BPH. In vitro binding of biotinylated Cry proteins and competition assays in midgut protein vesicles showed weak binding, and ligand blot analysis confirmed the binding specificity. Thus, we inferred that the tested Bt rice varieties have negligible effects on BPH and PWS.
Tolerability of Opioid Analgesia for Chronic Pain: A Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Meng Zengdong , Yu Jing , Acuff Michael , Luo Chong , Wang Sanrong , Yu Lehua , Huang Rongzhong
Published: May 2017

Aim of this study was to study the tolerability of opioid analgesia by performing a network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) which investigated effectiveness of opioids for the management of chronic pain. Research articles reporting outcomes of RCT/s comparing 2 or more opioid analgesics for the management of chronic pain were obtained by database search. Bayesian NMAs were performed to combine direct comparisons between treatments with that of indirect simulated evidence. Study endpoints were: incidence of adverse events, incidence of constipation, trial withdrawal rate, and patient satisfaction with treatment. Outcomes were also compared with conventional meta-analyses. Thirty-two studies investigating 10 opioid drugs fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Tapentadol treatment was top-ranking owing to lower incidence of overall adverse events, constipation, and least trial withdrawal rate. Tapentadol was followed by oxycodone-naloxone combination in providing better tolerability and less trial withdrawal rate. Patient satisfaction was found to be higher with oxycodone-naloxone followed by fentanyl and tapentadol. These results were in agreement with those achieved with conventional meta-analyses. Tapentadol and oxycodone-naloxone are found to exhibit better tolerability characteristics in comparison with other opioid drugs for the management of chronic pain and are associated with low trial withdrawal rate and better patient satisfaction.
Volunteer Participation in the Health eHeart Study: A Comparison with the US Population
Authors: Guo Xiaofan , Vittinghoff Eric , Olgin Jeffrey E. , Marcus Gregory M. , Pletcher Mark J.
Published: May 2017

Direct volunteer “eCohort” recruitment can be an efficient way of recruiting large numbers of participants, but there is potential for volunteer bias. We compared self-selected participants in the Health eHeart Study to participants in the National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–14, a cross-sectional survey of the US population. Compared with the US population (represented by 5,769 NHANES participants), the 12,280 Health eHeart participants with complete survey data were more likely to be female (adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) = 3.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9–3.5); less likely to be Black, Hispanic, or Asian versus White/non-Hispanic (ORadj’s = 0.4–0.6, p < 0.01); more likely to be college-educated (ORadj = 15.8 (13–19) versus ≤high school); more likely to have cardiovascular diseases and risk factors (ORadj’s = 1.1–2.8, p < 0.05) except diabetes (ORadj = 0.8 (0.7–0.9); more likely to be in excellent general health (ORadj = 0.6 (0.5–0.8) for “Good” versus “Excellent”); and less likely to be current smokers (ORadj = 0.3 (0.3–0.4)). While most self-selection patterns held for Health eHeart users of Bluetooth blood pressure cuff technology, there were some striking differences; for example, the gender ratio was reversed (ORadj = 0.6 (0.4–0.7) for female gender). Volunteer participation in this cardiovascular health-focused eCohort was not uniform among US adults nor for different components of the study.
A generalized population dynamics model for reproductive interference with absolute density dependence
Authors: Kyogoku Daisuke , Sota Teiji
Published: May 2017

Interspecific mating interactions, or reproductive interference, can affect population dynamics, species distribution and abundance. Previous population dynamics models have assumed that the impact of frequency-dependent reproductive interference depends on the relative abundances of species. However, this assumption could be an oversimplification inappropriate for making quantitative predictions. Therefore, a more general model to forecast population dynamics in the presence of reproductive interference is required. Here we developed a population dynamics model to describe the absolute density dependence of reproductive interference, which appears likely when encounter rate between individuals is important. Our model (i) can produce diverse shapes of isoclines depending on parameter values and (ii) predicts weaker reproductive interference when absolute density is low. These novel characteristics can create conditions where coexistence is stable and independent from the initial conditions. We assessed the utility of our model in an empirical study using an experimental pair of seed beetle species, Callosobruchus maculatus and Callosobruchus chinensis. Reproductive interference became stronger with increasing total beetle density even when the frequencies of the two species were kept constant. Our model described the effects of absolute density and showed a better fit to the empirical data than the existing model overall.
A Rapid Capillary-Pressure Driven Micro-Channel to Demonstrate Newtonian Fluid Behavior of Zebrafish Blood at High Shear Rates
Authors: Lee Juhyun , Chou Tzu-Chieh , Kang Dongyang , Kang Hanul , Chen Junjie , Baek Kyung In , Wang Wei , Ding Yichen , Carlo Dino Di , Tai Yu-Chong , Hsiai Tzung K.
Published: May 2017

Blood viscosity provides the rheological basis to elucidate shear stress underlying developmental cardiac mechanics and physiology. Zebrafish is a high throughput model for developmental biology, forward-genetics, and drug discovery. The micro-scale posed an experimental challenge to measure blood viscosity. To address this challenge, a microfluidic viscometer driven by surface tension was developed to reduce the sample volume required (3μL) for rapid (<2 min) and continuous viscosity measurement. By fitting the power-law fluid model to the travel distance of blood through the micro-channel as a function of time and channel configuration, the experimentally acquired blood viscosity was compared with a vacuum-driven capillary viscometer at high shear rates (>500 s−1), at which the power law exponent (n) of zebrafish blood was nearly 1 behaving as a Newtonian fluid. The measured values of whole blood from the micro-channel (4.17cP) and the vacuum method (4.22cP) at 500 s−1 were closely correlated at 27 °C. A calibration curve was established for viscosity as a function of hematocrits to predict a rise and fall in viscosity during embryonic development. Thus, our rapid capillary pressure-driven micro-channel revealed the Newtonian fluid behavior of zebrafish blood at high shear rates and the dynamic viscosity during development.
Simultaneous spectrum fitting and baseline correction using sparse representation
Authors: Han Quanjie , Xie Qiong , Peng Silong , Guo Baokui
Published: May 2017

Simultaneous estimation of the baseline and pure spectrum, and also the representation coefficient is sparse.
Four Salamo-type 3d–4f hetero-bimetallic [ZnIILnIII] complexes: syntheses, crystal structures, and luminescent and magnetic properties
Authors: Zheng Shan-Shan , Dong Wen-Kui , Zhang Yang , Chen Le , Ding Yu-Jie
Published: May 2017

A series of [ZnIILnIII] complexes (Ln = Sm, Eu, Tb and Dy) are synthesized by Salamo-type ligand H2L. Only [ZnIISmIII] shows the characteristic transitions of Sm3+ ion, indicating the effective energy transfer between the ligand and Sm3+ ion.
Monitoring of bacterial film formation and its breakdown with an angular-based surface plasmon resonance biosensor
Authors: Filion-Côté Sandrine , Melaine Feriel , Kirk Andrew G. , Tabrizian Maryam
Published: May 2017

An SPR biosensor with angular modulation can perform real-time monitoring of biofilm formation and can be used as a platform to test the efficiency of disinfectants.
A high throughput immunoassay for the therapeutic drug monitoring of tegafur
Authors: Broto Marta , McCabe Rita , Galve Roger , Marco M.-Pilar
Published: May 2017

A specific ELISA has been developed for tegafur detection in plasma reaching a LOD of 3 nM.
Synthesis and activation potential of an open shell diphosphine
Authors: Helmdach Kai , Ludwig Stephan , Villinger Alexander , Hollmann Dirk , Kösters Jutta , Seidel Wolfram W.
Published: May 2017

A cationic bisphosphine assembled by a modular synthetic concept and carrying a paramagneticS= 1/2 tungsten centre in the backbone shows an unusual spontaneous splitting of nitric oxide assisted by H atom transfer steps.
α-Diazo oxime ethers for N-heterocycle synthesis
Authors: Choi Subin , Ha Sujin , Park Cheol-Min
Published: May 2017

This Feature Article introduces the preparation and synthetic utility of α-diazo oxime ethers.
Copper-catalyzed hydroallylation of allenes employing hydrosilanes and allyl chlorides
Authors: Fujihara Tetsuaki , Yokota Ken , Terao Jun , Tsuji Yasushi
Published: May 2017

The hydroallylation of allenes was developed by employing a hydrosilane and allyl chlorides in the presence of a copper catalyst.
Correction: Catalytic C–H amination driven by intramolecular ligand-to-nitrene one-electron transfer through a rhodium(iii) centre
Authors: Fujita Daiki , Sugimoto Hideki , Shiota Yoshihito , Morimoto Yuma , Yoshizawa Kazunari , Itoh Shinobu
Published: May 2017

Correction for ‘Catalytic C–H amination driven by intramolecular ligand-to-nitrene one-electron transfer through a rhodium(iii) centre’ by Daiki Fujita et al., Chem. Commun., 2017, 53, 4849–4852.
Decoding structural complexity in conical carbon nanofibers
Authors: Zhu Yi-An , Wang Zi-Jun , Cheng Hong-Ye , Yang Qin-Min , Sui Zhi-Jun , Zhou Xing-Gui , Chen De
Published: May 2017

Conical CNFs with large apex angles have thick fiber walls, whereas smaller apex angles lead to large hollow cores.
Metal nanoinks as chemically stable surface enhanced scattering (SERS) probes for the analysis of blue BIC ballpoint pens
Authors: Alyami A. , Saviello D. , McAuliffe M. A. P. , Mirabile A. , Lewis L. , Iacopino D.
Published: May 2017

Metal nanoinks constituted by Ag nanoparticles and Au nanorods were employed as probes for the Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) analysis of a blue BIC ballpoint pen.
Microscale solid-state thermal diodes enabling ambient temperature thermal circuits for energy applications
Authors: Wang Song , Cottrill Anton L. , Kunai Yuichiro , Toland Aubrey R. , Liu Pingwei , Wang Wen-Jun , Strano Michael S.
Published: May 2017

A micro-scale phase change thermal diode capable of ambient and solid-state operation is developed and incorporated into a thermal diode bridge circuit.
Formation and structures of Au–Rh bimetallic nanoclusters supported on a thin film of Al2O3/NiAl(100)
Authors: Hsu Po-Wei , Liao Zhen-He , Hung Ting-Chieh , Lee Hsuan , Wu Yu-Cheng , Lai Yu-Ling , Hsu Yao-Jane , Lin Yuwei , Wang Jeng-Han , Luo Meng-Fan
Published: May 2017

The crystallinity, orientation, and lattice parameters of Au–Rh bimetallic clusters on Al2O3/NiAl(100) are revealed and dominated by Rh.
Reactivity studies of silylene [PhC(NtBu)2](C5Me5)Si – reactions with [M(COD)Cl]2(M = Rh(i), Ir(i)), S, Se, Te, and BH3
Authors: Kaufmann Sebastian , Schäfer Sebastian , Gamer Michael T. , Roesky Peter W.
Published: May 2017

The reactivity of N-heterocyclic silylene [PhC(NtBu)2](C5Me5)Si towards main group elements and transition metals was evaluated.
Three-dimensional bilayer garnet solid electrolyte based high energy density lithium metal–sulfur batteries
Authors: Fu Kun (Kelvin) , Gong Yunhui , Hitz Gregory T. , McOwen Dennis W. , Li Yiju , Xu Shaomao , Wen Yang , Zhang Lei , Wang Chengwei , Pastel Glenn , Dai Jiaqi , Liu Boyang , Xie Hua , Yao Yonggang , Wachsman Eric D. , Hu Liangbing
Published: May 2017

A solid electrolyte framework with porous and dense layers for high-energy and safe Li-metal batteries.
A dynamic strategy for wavelength sensing using the diffracted orders of a grating
Authors: Azmayesh-Fard Seyed M. , Melnyk Aaron , Lam Lawrence , Allen Trevor , Fedosejevs Robert , DeCorby Ray G.
Published: May 2017

In this study we propose for the first time a novel method for the measurement of spectral information of flowing particles using the diffracted orders of a grating.
Covalent inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases
Authors: Ruddraraju Kasi Viswanatharaju , Zhang Zhong-Yin
Published: May 2017

Chemical strategies for covalent inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases.
Synthesis and structural diversity of d10 metal coordination polymers constructed from new semi-rigid bis(3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid)alkane ligands
Authors: Cheng Meiling , Wang Qinghua , Bao Jinting , Wu Yujuan , Sun Lin , Yang Bingxin , Liu Qi
Published: May 2017

Three isomeric ligands, and four d10 metal CPs were synthesized, varying from 1D to 2D, together with achirality to chirality variation.
Identification of the structural determinants for efficient glucose transport via segment swapping between two fungal glucose transporters
Authors: Zhang Weixin , Cao Yanli , Chen Guanjun , Liu Weifeng
Published: May 2017

The N- and C-terminal segments exert a profound effect on the glucose transport capability of Stp1.
Direct C(sp2)–H amination of aryl aldehyde-derived hydrazones via visible light promoted photoredox catalysis
Authors: Zhu Xin , He Zhi , Li Qiu-Yan , Wang Xiao-Jun
Published: May 2017

An unprecedented visible-light-induced direct C(sp2)–H amination of aryl aldehyde-derived hydrazones was developed by using N-acyloxyphthalimides as nitrogen-radical precursors.
Observing different modes of mobility in lithium titanate spinel by nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Graf Magnus F. , Tempel Hermann , Köcher Simone S. , Schierholz Roland , Scheurer Christoph , Kungl Hans , Eichel Rüdiger-A. , Granwehr Josef
Published: May 2017

Using a newly developed analysis method for SAE NMR andab initiocalculations we show the formation of localized high-mobility domains in lithium titanate that influence its global ion mobility.
Improved Cl2 sensing characteristics of reduced graphene oxide when decorated with copper phthalocyanine nanoflowers
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Kaur Navdeep , Sharma Anshul Kumar , Mahajan Aman , Bedi R. K.
Published: May 2017

A novel gas sensing platform involving a hybrid of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets with unsubstituted copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) nanoflowers has been explored as a room temperature ppb level chemiresistive chlorine (Cl2) sensor with a detection limit as low as 1.97 ppb.
Structure and dynamics processes in free-base chlorins controlled by chemical modifications of macroring and aryl groups in meso-positions
Authors: Śniechowska J. , Paluch P. , Potrzebowski M. J.
Published: May 2017

The synthesis, detailed structural characterization and analysis of molecular motion for unsymmetrical pyrrolidine-fused chlorins employing NMR, UV spectroscopy and DFT theoretical calculations are presented.
Unexpected aggregation induced circular dichroism, circular polarized luminescence and helical assembly from achiral hexaphenylsilole (HPS)
Authors: Xue Shan , Meng Luming , Wen Rongsen , Shi Lin , Lam Jacky W. , Tang Zhiyong , Li Bing Shi , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: May 2017

This work provides the finding of aggregation-induced circular dichroism (AICD), optical properties and helical assemblies of π–π conjugated molecule hexaphenylsilole (HPS).
Synthesis and surface characterization of well-defined amphiphilic block copolymers composed of polydimethylsiloxane and poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate]
Authors: Goseki Raita , Hong Ling , Inutsuka Manabu , Yokoyama Hideaki , Ito Kohzo , Ishizone Takashi
Published: May 2017

A series of amphiphilic polydimethylsiloxane-b-poly[tri(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] (PDMS-b-PM3) diblock copolymers were prepared with varying PM3 compositions.
Influence of anion hydration status on selective properties of a commercial anion exchange membrane electrochemically impregnated with polyaniline deposits
Authors: Montes-Rojas A. , Rentería J. A. Q. , Chávez N. B. J. , Ávila-Rodríguez J. G. , Soto B. Yañez
Published: May 2017

There is currently great interest in the use of polyaniline (PAni) to impart particular properties to anion exchange membranes, employed in several fields.
Iridoids and bis-iridoids from Patrinia scabiosaefolia
Authors: Liu Zhen-Hua , Hou Bo , Yang Liu , Ma Rui-Jing , Li Jin-Yu , Hu Jiang-Miao , Zhou Jun
Published: May 2017

Ten new iridoids, patriscabioins A–J (1–10), and three unique bis-iridoids, patriscabiobisins A–C (11–13), together with seven known analogues, have been identified from whole plants of Patrinia scabiosaefolia.
Utilization of cyclocarbonated lignin as a bio-based cross-linker for the preparation of poly(hydroxy urethane)s
Authors: Salanti Anika , Zoia Luca , Mauri Michele , Orlandi Marco
Published: May 2017

Preparation of thermoset poly(hydroxy urethane) exploiting cyclocarbonated lignin as cross-linker.
1-N-histidine phosphorylation of ChlD by the AAA+ ChlI2 stimulates magnesium chelatase activity in chlorophyll synthesis
Authors: Sawicki Artur , Zhou Shuaixiang , Kwiatkowski Kathrin , Luo Meizhong , Willows Robert D.
Published: May 2017

Magnesium chelatase (Mg-chelatase) inserts magnesium into protoporphyrin during the biosynthesis of chlorophyll and bacteriochlorophyll. Enzyme activity is reconstituted by forming two separate preactivated complexes consisting of a GUN4/ChlH/protoporphyrin IX substrate complex and a ChlI/ChlD enzyme ‘motor’ complex. Formation of the ChlI/ChlD complex in both Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Oryza sativa is accompanied by phosphorylation of ChlD by ChlI, but the orthologous protein complex from Rhodobacter capsulatus, BchI/BchD, gives no detectable phosphorylation of BchD. Phosphorylation produces a 1-N-phospho-histidine within ChlD. Proteomic analysis indicates that phosphorylation occurs at a conserved His residue in the C-terminal integrin I domain of ChlD. Comparative analysis of the ChlD phosphorylation with enzyme activities of various ChlI/ChlD complexes correlates the phosphorylation by ChlI2 with stimulation of Mg-chelatase activity. Mutation of the H641 of CrChlD to E641 prevents both phosphorylation and stimulation of Mg-chelatase activity, confirming that phosphorylation at H641 stimulates Mg-chelatase. The properties of ChlI2 compared with ChlI1 of Chlamydomonas and with ChlI of Oryza, shows that ChlI2 has a regulatory role in Chlamydomonas.
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p110α) gene delivery limits diabetes-induced cardiac NADPH oxidase and cardiomyopathy in a mouse model with established diastolic dysfunction
Authors: Prakoso Darnel , De Blasio Miles J. , Qin Chengxue , Rosli Sarah , Kiriazis Helen , Qian Hongwei , Du Xiao-Jun , Weeks Kate L. , Gregorevic Paul , McMullen Julie R. , Ritchie Rebecca H.
Published: May 2017

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase [PI3K (p110α)] is able to negatively regulate the diabetes-induced increase in NADPH oxidase in the heart. Patients affected by diabetes exhibit significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, at least in part due to a cardiomyopathy characterized by oxidative stress and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Thus, PI3K (p110α) may represent a novel approach to protect the heart from diabetes-induced cardiac oxidative stress and dysfunction. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of a delayed intervention with cardiac-targeted PI3K gene therapy, administered to mice with established diabetes-induced LV diastolic dysfunction. Diabetes was induced in 6-week-old male mice by streptozotocin (STZ). After 8 weeks of untreated diabetes, LV diastolic dysfunction was confirmed by a reduction in echocardiography-derived transmitral E/A ratio. Diabetic and non-diabetic mice were randomly allocated to receive either recombinant adeno-associated viral vector-6 carrying a constitutively-active PI3K construct (recombinant adeno-associated-virus 6-constitutively active PI3K (p110α) (caPI3K) (rAAV6-caPI3K), single i.v. injection, 2 × 1011 vector genomes) or null vector, and were followed for a further 6 or 8 weeks. At study endpoint, diabetes-induced LV dysfunction was significantly attenuated by a single administration of rAAV6-caPI3K, administered 8 weeks after the induction of diabetes. Diabetes-induced impairments in each of LV NADPH oxidase, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, apoptosis, cardiac fibrosis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, in addition to LV systolic dysfunction, were attenuated by delayed intervention with rAAV6-caPI3K. Hence, our demonstration that cardiac-targeted PI3K (p110α) gene therapy limits diabetes-induced up-regulation of NADPH oxidase and cardiac remodelling suggests new insights into promising approaches for the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy, at a clinically relevant time point (after diastolic dysfunction is manifested).
Hybrid approach to classification of focal and diffused liver disorders using ultrasound images with wavelets and texture features
Authors: Raghesh Krishnan K. , Radhakrishnan Sudhakar
Published: May 2017

This study presents a computer‐based approach to classify ten different kinds of focal and diffused liver disorders using ultrasound images. The diseased portion is isolated from the ultrasound image by applying active contour segmentation technique. The segmented region is further decomposed into horizontal, vertical and diagonal component images by applying biorthogonal wavelet transform. From the above wavelet filtered component images, grey level run‐length matrix features are extracted and classified using random forests by applying ten‐fold cross‐validation strategy. The results are compared with spatial feature extraction techniques such as intensity histogram, invariant moment features and spatial texture features such as grey‐level co‐occurrence matrices, grey‐level run length matrices and fractal texture features. The proposed technique, which is an application of texture feature extraction on transform domain images, gives an overall classification accuracy of 91% for a combination of ten classes of similar looking diseases which is appreciable than the spatial domain only techniques for liver disease classification from ultrasound images.
Transmission performance analysis of circular polarisation frequency selective surface and fast accurate optimisation based on equivalent circuit
Authors: Liu Yuheng , Zhou Longjian , Ouyang Jun
Published: May 2017

In this study, a promising application of frequency selective surface (FSS) operating in circular polarisation is analysed and designed. Both magnitude and phase consistencies between transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) waves are emphasised, especially transmission phase agreement. Equivalent circuit model (ECM) provides a deep physical insight into phase discrepancy between TE and TM waves. The effects of geometrical parameters of FSS on magnitude and phase consistencies are also investigated by ECM. Additionally, an optimisation process is utilised to obtain desired frequency responses for multi‐layer FSS design. This process involves iterative correction and update of coarse circuit model on the basis of a few accurate full wave simulations. Moreover, a dual‐layer square slot FSS is efficiently designed using this optimisation method. Finally, a prototype of the optimised dual‐layer square slot FSS is fabricated and tested to validate the simulated results.