bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge of Rabies Prevention in Vietnamese Public Health and Animal Health Workers
Authors: Nguyen K. A. T. , Nguyen H. T. T. , Pham T. N. , Van K. D. , Hoang T. V. , Olowokure B.
Published: February 2016

Rabies is an invariably fatal, but preventable zoonotic disease. Despite a national programme for its prevention and control, the number of rabies associated deaths in Vietnam has increased in recent years. A cross‐sectional survey was undertaken in 2012 to assess and compare the knowledge, awareness and practices of 189 public health workers (PHW) and animal health workers (AHW) attending a joint training course for professionals from provinces in northern Vietnam with the highest number of deaths from rabies. Questionnaires facilitating self‐evaluation were provided, and total knowledge scores were calculated (maximum 38 points) and categorized into: ‘high’ (>30 points), ‘moderate’ (21–30) and ‘low’ (<21). The response rate was 100%, and among the 189 participants, 56% were PHW compared to 44% who were AHW. Although most respondents knew rabies could be transmitted through the bite of an animal, most commonly a dog, and that rabies is a preventable disease, significant differences between groups were identified. Major areas included poor knowledge of common rabies reservoirs, wound management and guidance on post‐exposure prophylaxis. Overall, the total mean knowledge scores for PHW was significantly higher (P = 0.011) compared to those for AHW, but both scores fell within the ‘moderate’ knowledge range. However, proportionately more PHW than AHW achieved ‘high’ knowledge scores (P = 0.0098). To our knowledge this is the first published study to simultaneously assess the knowledge and awareness of animal health and public health professionals attending joint training activities aimed at strengthening rabies prevention and control. To ensure effective prevention and control of rabies requires that AHW and PHW not only coordinate and collaborate, but have a common knowledge and understanding of rabies prevention and control measures. This study provides important baseline data in a relatively unexplored area of research that can focus future interventions and research.
Impact of Corporate Advertising on Consumers’ Attitudes toward Products
Authors: Spangardt Benedikt
Published: February 2016

Corporate advertising—advertising designed to build and maintain corporate image rather than to promote sales—is becoming increasingly important for many companies. In addition to the questions regarding whether, and, if so, how corporate advertising contributes to the goal of building and maintaining corporate image, one could also ask if it influences other areas of a company. In this study, corporate advertising was assumed to affect consumer attitudes toward company products, even if the advertising promoted the company in general terms but did not feature any products. The results of an online survey involving 408 participants indicate that corporate advertising has a marked effect on consumer attitudes toward company products, and that this effect could be influenced by product involvement.
Lost in transportation: Information measures and cognitive limits in multilayer navigation
Authors: Gallotti Riccardo , Porter Mason A. , Barthelemy Marc
Published: February 2016

The cognitive limit for reading a metropolitan map was estimated to be on the order of 8 bits—a limit already exceeded by some large cities.
Ocean acidification causes structural deformities in juvenile coral skeletons
Authors: Foster Taryn , Falter James L. , McCulloch Malcolm T. , Clode Peta L.
Published: February 2016

3D imaging exposes deformities and shows how ocean acidification can change the way juvenile corals build their skeletons.
Nanoscale rotary apparatus formed from tight-fitting 3D DNA components
Authors: Ketterer Philip , Willner Elena M. , Dietz Hendrik
Published: February 2016

A nanoscale rotary mechanism reproduces some of the dynamic properties of biological rotary motors.
Anderson localization of electrons in single crystals: Li

x

Fe
7
Se
8
Authors: Ying Tianping , Gu Yueqiang , Chen Xiao , Wang Xinbo , Jin Shifeng , Zhao Linlin , Zhang Wei , Chen Xiaolong
Published: February 2016

The Anderson localization, which was predicted more than half a century ago, is realized for electron system in a 3D single crystal.
Chemical Synthesis and
In Vitro
Evaluation of a Phage Display-Derived Peptide Active against Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus
Authors: Ojeda Nicolás , Cárdenas Constanza , Guzmán Fanny , Marshall Sergio H.
Published: February 2016

Infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV) is the etiological agent of the disease by the same name and causes major losses in the salmon industry worldwide. Epizootic ISAV outbreaks have occurred in Norway and, to a lesser degree, in Canada. In 2007, an ISAV outbreak in Chile destroyed most of the seasonal production and endangered the entire Chilean salmon industry. None of the existing prophylactic approaches have demonstrated efficacy in providing absolute protection from or even a palliative effect on ISAV proliferation. Sanitary control measures for ISAV, based on molecular epidemiology data, have proven insufficient, mainly due to high salmon culture densities and a constant presence of a nonpathogenic strain of the virus. This report describes an alternative treatment approach based on interfering peptides selected from a phage display library. The screening of a phage display heptapeptide library resulted in the selection of a novel peptide with significant
in vitro
antiviral activity against ISAV. This peptide specifically interacted with the viral hemagglutinin-esterase protein, thereby impairing virus binding, with plaque reduction assays showing a significant reduction in viral yields. The identified peptide acts at micromolar concentrations against at least two different pathogenic strains of the virus, without detectable cytotoxic effects on the tested fish cells. Therefore, antiviral peptides represent a novel alternative for controlling ISAV and, potentially, other fish pathogens.

IMPORTANCE
Identifying novel methods for the efficient control of infectious diseases is imperative for the future of global aquaculture. The present study used a phage display heptapeptide library to identify a peptide with interfering activity against a key protein of the infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV). A piscine orthomyxovirus, ISAV is a continuous threat to the commercial sustainability of cultured salmon production worldwide. The complex epidemiological strategy of this pathogen has made prophylactic control extremely difficult. The identified antiviral peptide efficiently impairs ISAV infection
in vitro
by specifically blocking hemagglutinin-esterase, a pivotal surface protein of this virus. Peptide synthesis could further modify the primary structure of the identified peptide to improve specific activity and stability. The present results form the foundation for developing a new pharmacological treatment against ISAV.
Evaluation of a Parchment Document, the 13th Century Incorporation Charter for the City of Krakow, Poland, for Microbial Hazards
Authors: Lech Tomasz
Published: February 2016

The literature of environmental microbiology broadly discusses issues associated with microbial hazards in archives, but these publications are mainly devoted to paper documents. There are few articles on historical parchment documents, which used to be very important for the development of literature and the art of writing. These studies present a broad spectrum of methods for the assessment of biodeterioration hazards of the parchment document in question. They are based on both conventional microbiological methods and advanced techniques of molecular biology. Here, a qualitative analysis was conducted, based on genetic identification of bacteria and fungi present on the document as well as denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiling and examining the destructive potential of isolated microbes. Moreover, the study involved a quantitative and qualitative microbiological assessment of the indoor air in the room where the parchment was kept. The microbes with the highest destructive potential that were isolated from the investigated item were
Bacillus cereus
and
Acinetobacter lwoffii
bacteria and
Penicillium chrysogenum
,
Chaetomium globosum
, and
Trichoderma longibrachiatum
fungi. The presence of the
B. cereus
strain was particularly interesting since, under appropriate conditions, it leads to complete parchment degradation within several days.
Identifying Potential Mechanisms Enabling Acidophily in the Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaeon “Candidatus Nitrosotalea devanaterra”
Authors: Lehtovirta-Morley Laura E. , Sayavedra-Soto Luis A. , Gallois Nicolas , Schouten Stefan , Stein Lisa Y. , Prosser James I. , Nicol Graeme W.
Published: February 2016

Ammonia oxidation is the first and rate-limiting step in nitrification and is dominated by two distinct groups of microorganisms in soil: ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). AOA are often more abundant than AOB and dominate activity in acid soils. The mechanism of ammonia oxidation under acidic conditions has been a long-standing paradox. While high rates of ammonia oxidation are frequently measured in acid soils, cultivated ammonia oxidizers grew only at near-neutral pH when grown in standard laboratory culture. Although a number of mechanisms have been demonstrated to enable neutrophilic AOB growth at low pH in the laboratory, these have not been demonstrated in soil, and the recent cultivation of the obligately acidophilic ammonia oxidizer “
Candidatus
Nitrosotalea devanaterra” provides a more parsimonious explanation for the observed high rates of activity. Analysis of the sequenced genome, transcriptional activity, and lipid content of “
Ca
. Nitrosotalea devanaterra” reveals that previously proposed mechanisms used by AOB for growth at low pH are not essential for archaeal ammonia oxidation in acidic environments. Instead, the genome indicates that “
Ca
. Nitrosotalea devanaterra” contains genes encoding both a predicted high-affinity substrate acquisition system and potential pH homeostasis mechanisms absent in neutrophilic AOA. Analysis of mRNA revealed that candidate genes encoding the proposed homeostasis mechanisms were all expressed during acidophilic growth, and lipid profiling by high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) demonstrated that the membrane lipids of “
Ca
. Nitrosotalea devanaterra” were not dominated by crenarchaeol, as found in neutrophilic AOA. This study for the first time describes a genome of an obligately acidophilic ammonia oxidizer and identifies potential mechanisms enabling this unique phenotype for future biochemical characterization.
Odontogenic myxoma involving the orbit in a 3-year-old boy: removal, reconstruction and review of the literature
Authors: Hansen Teis Schjals , Danielsson Lina Isabella , Fast Søren , Thygesen Torben H
Published: February 2016

We present a rare case of a 3-year-old boy with an odontogenic myxoma (OM) involving the orbita. Including our case, only nine cases of OM have been reported to involve the eye in children.

There is no gold standard for treatment of OM in children with orbital involvement. The recurrence rate of OM in children seems low, which advocates for less invasive surgery. A gentle resection of the OM was carried out. The floor and medial wall of the orbit was reconstructed immediately using a non-resorbable Medpor implant with passive adaptation. Reconstruction with a Medpor implant in children has rarely been reported in the literature. No clinical or radiological recurrence was observed 24 months after surgical removal, and the patient presented with symmetric appearance and normal vision.
Impact of contact on adolescents’ mental health literacy and stigma: the SchoolSpace cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Chisholm Katharine , Patterson Paul , Torgerson Carole , Turner Erin , Jenkinson David , Birchwood Max
Published: February 2016

Objectives

To investigate whether intergroup contact in addition to education is more effective than education alone in reducing stigma of mental illness in adolescents.

Design

A pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial compared education alone with education plus contact. Blocking was used to randomly stratify classes within schools to condition. Random allocation was concealed, generated by a computer algorithm, and undertaken after pretest. Data was collected at pretest and 2-week follow-up. Analyses use an intention-to-treat basis.

Setting

Secondary schools in Birmingham, UK.

Participants

The parents and guardians of all students in year 8 (age 12–13 years) were approached to take part.

Interventions

A 1-day educational programme in each school led by mental health professional staff. Students in the ‘contact’ condition received an interactive session with a young person with lived experience of mental illness.

Outcomes

The primary outcome was students’ attitudinal stigma of mental illness. Secondary outcomes included knowledge-based stigma, mental health literacy, emotional well-being and resilience, and help-seeking attitudes.

Results

Participants were recruited between 1 May 2011 and 30 April 2012. 769 participants completed the pretest and were randomised to condition. 657 (85%) provided follow-up data. At 2-week follow-up, attitudinal stigma improved in both conditions with no significant effect of condition (95% CI −0.40 to 0.22, p=0.5, d=0.01). Significant improvements were found in the education-alone condition compared with the contact and education condition for the secondary outcomes of knowledge-based stigma, mental health literacy, emotional well-being and resilience, and help-seeking attitudes.

Conclusions

Contact was found to reduce the impact of the intervention for a number of outcomes. Caution is advised before employing intergroup contact with younger student age groups. The education intervention appeared to be successful in reducing stigma, promoting mental health knowledge, and increasing mental health literacy, as well as improving emotional well-being and resilience. A larger trial is needed to confirm these results.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN07406026; Results.
Efficacy and safety of gelatine tannate for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Michałek Dorota , Kołodziej Maciej , Konarska Zofia , Szajewska Hania
Published: February 2016

Introduction

Worldwide, acute gastroenteritis in children, usually caused by viruses, leads to considerable morbidity and mortality. The treatment is aimed at preventing and treating dehydration, promoting weight gain after rehydration, and reducing the duration and severity of diarrhoea. Effective and inexpensive interventions that could add to the effect of oral rehydration therapy are of interest. Recently, in many European countries, gelatine tannate is being widely marketed for treating acute gastroenteritis. Gelatine tannate is a complex of tannic acid, which possesses astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, and a protective gelatine. Currently, there is no evidence to support the use of gelatine tannate for treating acute gastroenteritis in children and only scant evidence to support the use of gelatine tannate in adults. We aim to assess the efficacy of gelatine tannate for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children.

Methods and analysis

This will be a blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial. Children younger than 5 years of age with acute gastroenteritis defined as a change in stool consistency to loose or liquid form (according to the Bristol Stool Form scale or Amsterdam Stool Form scale) and/or an increase in the frequency of evacuations (typically ≥3 in 24 h), lasting for no longer than 5 days, will be recruited. A total of 158 children will be randomised to receive either gelatine tannate (children younger than 3 years of age will receive 250 mg, 4 times/day, and those older than 3 years of age will receive 500 mg, 4 times/day) or matching placebo for 5 days. The primary outcome measure is the duration of diarrhoea.

Ethics and dissemination

The Bioethics Committee approved the study protocol. The findings of this trial will be submitted to a peer-reviewed paediatric journal. Abstracts will be submitted to relevant national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT02280759; Pre-results.
Coverage analysis in a targeted amplicon-based next-generation sequencing panel for myeloid neoplasms
Authors: Yan Benedict , Hu Yongli , Ng Christopher , Ban Kenneth H K , Tan Tin Wee , Huan Pei Tee , Lee Peak-Ling , Chiu Lily , Seah Elaine , Ng Chin Hin , Koay Evelyn Siew-Chuan , Chng Wee-Joo
Published: February 2016

Aims

PCR amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels are increasingly used for clinical diagnostic assays. Amplification bias is a well-known limitation of PCR amplicon-based approaches. We sought to characterise lower-performance amplicons in an off-the-shelf NGS panel (TruSight Myeloid Sequencing Panel) for myeloid neoplasms and attempted to patch the low read depth for one of the affected genes,CEBPA.

Methods

We performed targeted NGS of 158 acute myeloid leukaemia samples and analysed the amplicon read depths across 568 amplicons to identify lower-performance amplicons. We also correlated the amplicon read depths with the template GC content. Finally, we attempted to patch the low read depth forCEBPAusing a parallel library preparation (Nextera XT) workflow.

Results

We identified 16 lower-performance amplicons affecting nine genes, includingCEBPA. There was a slight negative correlation between the amplicon read depths and template GC content. Addition of the separateCEBPAlibrary generated a minimum read depth per base across theCEBPAgene ranging from 268x to 758x across eight samples.

Conclusions

The identification of lower-performance amplicons will be informative to laboratories intending to use this panel. We have also demonstrated proof-of-concept that different libraries (TruSight Myeloid and Nextera XT) can be combined and sequenced on the same flow cell to generate additional reads forCEBPA.
Steady and unsteady pressure scour under bridges at clear-water conditions
Authors: Kumcu Serife Yurdagul
Published: February 2016

Bridges are vital components of the transportation network and if they are damaged or destroyed during a flood, they isolate communities and limit movement of supplies and emergency services. Evaluating their constructional stability and structural response after a flood event is critical for bridge safety. Bridge studies are usually designed with an assumption of an open channel flow condition, but the flow regime can switch to pressure flow if the downstream edge of a bridge deck is partially or totally submerged during a large flood. The main goal of this paper is to study the pressurized flow scour under a bridge deck and downstream deposition that results from eroded sediment material governed by both steady and unsteady clear-water flow conditions. Experimental conditions used in this study involve clear-water scour of a sand bed of given median sediment size d50 = 0.90 mm and sediment uniformity σg = 1.29, an approach flow characterized by a flow depth and velocity, a rectangular-shaped bridge deck, and a stepwise flood hydrograph defined by its time to peak and peak discharge. Different flow conditions were considered in confined flow under the bridge deck. Relationship between pressure-flow scour and flow conditions is presented and discussed under the obtained experimental data. Additionally, effects of single-peaked stepwise flow hydrographs (unsteady flow conditions) on bridge pier scour depth are investigated under clear-water pressure-flow conditions, whereas previous researches mainly focused on the equilibrium pressure scour under steady flow conditions.
On 2-dimensional Dijkgraaf-Witten theory with defects
Authors: Dougherty Aria L. , Park Hwajin , Yetter David N.
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we provide a construction of a state-sum model for finite gauge-group Dijkgraaf-Witten theory on surfaces with codimension 1 defects. The construction requires not only that the triangulation be subordinate to the filtration, but flag-like: each simplex of the triangulation is either disjoint from the defect curve, or intersects it in a closed face. The construction allows internal degrees of freedom in the defect curves by introducing a second gauge-group from which edges of the curve are labeled in the state-sum construction. Edges incident with the defect, but not lying in it, have states lying in a set with commuting actions of the two gauge-groups. We determine the appropriate generalizations of the 2-cocycles specifying twistings of defect-free 2D Dijkgraaf-Witten theory. Examples arising by restriction of group 2-cocycles, and constructed from characters of the 2-dimensional gauge group are presented.
Quandle coloring and cocycle invariants of composite knots and abelian extensions
Authors: Clark W. Edwin , Saito Masahico , Vendramin Leandro
Published: February 2016

Quandle colorings and cocycle invariants are studied for composite knots, and applied to chirality and abelian extensions. The square and granny knots, for example, can be distinguished by quandle colorings, so that a trefoil and its mirror can be distinguished by quandle coloring of composite knots. We investigate this and related phenomena. Quandle cocycle invariants are studied in relation to quandle coloring of the connected sum, and formulas are given for computing the cocycle invariant from the number of colorings of composite knots. Relations to corresponding abelian extensions of quandles are studied, and extensions are examined for the table of small connected quandles, called Rig quandles. Computer calculations are presented, and summaries of outputs are discussed.
Tribology Property of Benzoxazine–Bismaleimide Composites with Hyperbranched Polysilane-Grafted Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Jia Yuan , Yan Hong-Xia , Li Song , Liu Tianye
Published: February 2016

To reveal the wear mechanism of hyperbranched polysilane (HBPSi) grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes (HBPSi–MWCNTs) modified benzoxazine–bismaleimide (BOZ–BMI) resin (HBPSi–MWCNTs/BOZ–BMI), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed. The results indicated that the suitable addition of HBPSi–MWCNTs could largely enhance the tribological properties of BOZ–BMI composites. The worn surface of the composites showed that the severe wear of the BOZ–BMI resin was converted from adhesive wear to abrasive wear with the addition of HBPSi–MWCNTs. The excellent tribological properties can be attributed to the improved interfacial adhesion between HBPSi–MWCNTs and the BOZ–BMI resin matrix. The TGA demonstrated that the composite with 0.8[Formula: see text]wt.% HBPSi–MWCNTs exhibits better thermal resistance; thus, it can inhibit adhesive wear during the friction process. The XPS spectra and the surface energy showed that the HBPSi–MWCNTs could be exposed on the worn surface of the composite to improve the anti-wear capacity of the composites further.
Hydrothermal Synthesis and Electrochemical Property of Self-Assembly K10[H2W12O42]⋅10H2O Nanorod
Authors: Kong Xingang , Li Wen , Cao Liyun , Huang Jianfeng , Wu Jianpeng , Fei Jie , Li Jiayin
Published: February 2016

Using KOH and WO3 as raw materials, K10[H2W12O42][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]10H2O nanorod was successfully synthesized via controlling the pH value and the K/W mole ratio of hydrothermal system. The structure and morphology of the samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The size of K10[H2W12O42][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]10H2O nanorod was about 300[Formula: see text]nm in width and 3–10[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m in length. The nanorod consisted of self-assembly nanowires with about 10[Formula: see text]nm in width. Moreover, the electrochemical performance of K10[H2W12O42][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]10H2O as anode material was investigated, indicating that the as-prepared sample electrode possessed a certain ability of lithium ion insertion/extraction, and exhibited a high initial discharge capacity of 310[Formula: see text]mAh g[Formula: see text].
Methanobactin-Mediated One-Step Synthesis of Palladium Nanoparticles
Authors: Xin Jia-Ying , Fan Hong-Chen , Ji Sheng-Fu , Wang Yan , Xia Chun-Gu
Published: February 2016

The development of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) with a narrow size distribution is an important aspect of nanotechnology. Methanobactin (Mb) is a copper-binding small peptide that appears to function as an agent for copper sequestration and uptake in methanotrophs. Here, Mb was shown to bind and catalytically reduce Pd (II) to Pd (0). The one-step synthesis of monodisperse PdNPs using Mb as both coordination agent and reduction agent is reported. Fluorescence spectra, UV-visible spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) suggested that the Mb molecules catalytically reduce Pd (II) to Pd (0) with the concomitant production of PdNPs. The Mb is then adsorbed onto the surface of the PdNPs to form an Mb–PdNPs coordination compound. This avoids secondary nucleation. The PdNPs are small with high monodispersity and are easily synthesized in Mb solution. The PdNPs were extremely stable and resisted aggregation even after several months.
Gold nanoparticles for cancer theranostics — A brief update
Authors: Zhao Ning , Pan Yongxu , Cheng Zhen , Liu Hongguang
Published: February 2016

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) exhibit superior optical and physical properties for more effective treatment of cancer through incorporating both diagnostic and therapeutic functions into one single platform. The ability to passively accumulate on tumor cells provides AuNPs the opportunity to become an attractive contrast agent for X-ray based computed tomography (CT) imaging in vivo. Because of facile surface modification, various size and shape of AuNPs have been extensively functionalized and applied as active nanoprobes and drug carriers for cancer targeted theranostics. Moreover, their capabilities on producing photoacoustic (PA) signals and photothermal effects have been used to image and treat tumor progression, respectively. Herein, we review the developments of AuNPs as cancer diagnostics and chemotherapeutic drug vector, summarizing strategies for tumor targeting and their applications in vitro and in vivo.
Experimental generation and observation of a super-resolution optical tube
Authors: Xu Jianghua , Jiang Liping , Zhu Houfei , Liu Lingling , Hu Jinbing , Wang Haifeng , Zhuang Songlin
Published: February 2016

We generated a super-resolution optical tube by tightly focusing a binary phase modulated azimuthally polarized laser beam. The binary phase modulation is achieved by a glass substrate with multi-belt concentric ring grooves. We also characterized the 3D beam profile by using a cross-shaped knife-edge fabricated on a silicon photo-detector. The size of the super-resolution dark spot in the tube is 0.32[Formula: see text], which remains unchanged for [Formula: see text] within the tube. This optical tube may find applications in super-resolution microscopy, optical trapping and particle acceleration.
AO–MW–PLS method applied to rapid quantification of teicoplanin with near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Jiemei , Ai Tian , Pan Tao , Yao Lijun , Xia Fenggeng
Published: February 2016

Teicoplanin (TCP) is an important lipoglycopeptide antibiotic produced by fermenting Actinoplanes teichomyceticus. The change in TCP concentration is important to measure in the fermentation process. In this study, a reagent-free and rapid quantification method for TCP in the TCP–Tris–HCl mixture samples was developed using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy by focusing our attention on the fermentation process for TCP. The absorbance optimization (AO) partial least squares (PLS) was proposed and integrated with the moving window (MW) PLS, which is called AO–MW–PLS method, to select appropriate wavebands. A model set that includes various wavebands that were equivalent to the optimal AO–MW–PLS waveband was proposed based on statistical considerations. The public region of all equivalent wavebands was just one of the equivalent wavebands. The obtained public regions were 1540–1868[Formula: see text]nm for TCP and 1114–1310[Formula: see text]nm for Tris. The root-mean-square error and correlation coefficient for leave-one-out cross validation were 0.046[Formula: see text]mg mL[Formula: see text] and 0.9998[Formula: see text]mg mL[Formula: see text] for TCP, and 0.235[Formula: see text]mg mL[Formula: see text] and 0.9986[Formula: see text]mg mL[Formula: see text] for Tris, respectively. All the models achieved highly accurate prediction effects, and the selected wavebands provided valuable references for designing specialized spectrometers. This study provided a valuable reference for further application of the proposed methods to TCP fermentation broth and to other spectroscopic analysis fields.
Biocompatible Carbon Dots Clusters with Tunable Sizes for Bioimaging Application
Authors: Wang Guan , Geng Junlong , Liu Ye
Published: February 2016

Carbon dots (Cdots) have been widely applied in labeling cellular or subcellular targets with high resolution due to their small sizes and benign biocompatibility. However, their use for in vivo application suffered from the rapid renal clearance due to their tiny size (c.a. [Formula: see text]6[Formula: see text]nm in diameter). To overcome the drawback, we herein report a sonication assisted method for the preparation of Cdots clusters with tunable sizes. Pluronic F127 was used as the carrier to form the clusters and the feeding ratio of the Cdots to F127 was varied in order to tune the sizes of clusters. The clusters were also successfully demonstrated in cell imaging applications with high brightness. Together with their low cytotoxicity, the clusters are potential for bioimaging applications. Hence, this work provides a convenient engineering strategy to prepare Cdots clusters with tunable sizes for bioimaging applications.
The Effects of Gold Nanoparticles Deposition on the Surface of TiO2 Nanorods for Solar Water Splitting Applications
Authors: Atabaev Timur Sh.
Published: February 2016

Plasmonic gold nanostructures offer a promising route to improving the solar energy conversion efficiency of semiconductors. This paper reports that the presence of gold nanoparticles (NPs) on the surface of TiO2 nanorods leads to an enhanced photocurrent for the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting performance and discusses the origins of this enhancement from the results of various characterization techniques. The results show that plasmon-induced resonant energy transfer is responsible for the light harvesting enhancement at the energies below the band edge of TiO2. These results may provide a general approach to overcoming the low optical absorption of semiconductor structures, while further reducing the charge recombination losses.
Provenance shifts in an evolving Eurekan foreland basin: the Tertiary Central Basin, Spitsbergen
Authors: Petersen T. G. , Thomsen T. B. , Olaussen S. , Stemmerik L.
Published: February 2016

Detrital zircon U–Pb laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry age data for Paleocene and Eocene sandstones from the Central Tertiary Basin on Spitsbergen, Arctic Norway are used to investigate provenance and to test the filling history of the basin in response to the evolving Eurekan orogeny. The zircon age data from 16 analysed samples allow us to distinguish five sources. The zircon age populations of the Paleocene Firkanten and Basilika formations have a distinct Uralide signature (
c
. 275 Ma) and are interpreted to represent four mixtures of reworked Late Triassic, Jurassic and older sandstones affected by Early Cretaceous volcanism. The zircon age population of the Eocene Battfjellet Formation lacks Uralide- and Early Cretaceous-aged zircons and is dominated by Proterozoic and Archaean zircons indicating sourcing from Middle Triassic and older rocks. The data support models implying a marked shift from easterly to westerly source areas during the evolution of the basin in response to the evolving Eurekan orogeny. The population of Cretaceous-aged zircons indicates that volcanism in the High Arctic Large Igneous Province took place during two separate events at 80–100 and 118–150 Ma, thus supporting previous models for Cretaceous volcanic activity in the High Arctic.

Supplementary materials:
Operating conditions, data acquisition parameters and zircon discordances are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.2187247
.
Dynamic filling parameters in patients with atrial fibrillation: differentiating rhythm induced from ventilation-induced variations in pulse pressure
Authors: Wyffels Piet A. H. , Van Heuverswyn Frederic , De Hert Stefan , Wouters Patrick F.
Published: February 2016

In patients with sinus rhythm, the magnitude of mechanical ventilation (MV)-induced changes in pulse pressure (PP) is known to predict the effect of fluid loading on cardiac output. This approach, however, is not applicable in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We propose a method to isolate this effect of MV from the rhythm-induced chaotic changes in PP in patients with AF. In 10 patients undergoing pulmonary vein ablation for treatment of AF under general anesthesia, ECG and PP waveforms were analyzed during apnea (T1) and during MV at tidal volumes of 8 ml/kg (T2) and 12 ml/kg (T3), respectively. In a first step, three mathematical models were compared in their ability to predict individual PP at T1. The best-fitting model was then selected as the reference to quantify the effects of MV on PP in these patients. A local polynomial regression model based on two preceding RR intervals (LOC2) was found to be superior over the quadratic models to predict PP. LOC2 was therefore selected to quantify variations in PP induced by MV. During T2 and T3, magnitude of PP deviations was related with the amplitude of tidal volume [mean bias error (SD) of −5 (6) and −8 (7) mmHg for T2 and T3, respectively; P = 0.003 repeated-measures ANOVA]. We conclude that LOC2 most accurately predicted rhythm-induced variations in PP. MV-induced deviations in PP can be quantified and may therefore provide a method to study cardiopulmonary interactions in the presence of arrhythmia.
CD97/ADGRE5 Inhibits LPS Induced NF-κB Activation through PPAR-γUpregulation in Macrophages
Authors: Wang Shuai , Sun Zewei , Zhao Wenting , Wang Zhen , Wu Mingjie , Pan Yanyun , Yan Hui , Zhu Jianhua
Published: February 2016

CD97/ADGRE5 protein is predominantly expressed on leukocytes and belongs to the EGF-TM7 receptors family. It mediates granulocytes accumulation in the inflammatory tissues and is involved in firm adhesion of PMNC on activated endothelial cells. There have not been any studies exploring the role of CD97 in LPS induced NF-κB activation in macrophages. Therefore, we first measured the CD97 expression in LPS treated human primary macrophages and subsequently analyzed the levels of inflammatory factor TNF-αand transcription factor NF-κB in these macrophages that have been manipulated with either CD97 knockdown or overexpression. We found that a reported anti-inflammatory transcription factor, PPAR-γ, was involved in the CD97 mediated NF-κB suppression. Furthermore, by immunofluorescence staining, we established that CD97 overexpression not only inhibited LPS induced p65 expression in the nucleus but also promoted the PPAR-γexpression. Moreover, using CD97 knockout THP-1 cells, we further demonstrated that CD97 promoted PPAR-γexpression and decreased LPS induced NF-κB activation. In conclusion, CD97 plays a negative role in LPS induced NF-κB activation and TNF-αsecretion, partly through PPAR-γupregulation.
Influence of Processing Conditions on the Thermal Stability and Mechanical Properties of PP/Silica-Lignin Composites
Authors: Klapiszewski Łukasz , Bula Karol , Sobczak Marta , Jesionowski Teofil
Published: February 2016

Functional silica-lignin dual fillers were obtained via mechanical grinding of the components (Syloid 244 silica and kraft lignin). Of particular importance here is the fact that lignin is a natural polymer and particularly that it is a waste by-product of paper production, whose recycling is highly desirable. The product underwent comprehensive dispersive-morphological and thermal analysis. SiO2-lignin hybrid fillers were also used in polypropylene-based composites, extruded via corotating a twin screw machine with different screw speeds. The thermogravimetric data obtained for the extrudates confirmed that the application of the lignin into PP produces a significant char residue. Addition of silica to lignin via this new hybrid formulation has a positive effect on the thermal stability of PP/silica-lignin composites, which can be seen even when observing the temperature for the maximum rate of weight reduction. Tensile test results show that the addition of silica by means of dual filler incorporation improves the mechanical parameters in comparison with pure PP and PP/lignin composite.
Information Analysis of Catchment Hydrologic Patterns across Temporal Scales
Authors: Pan Baoxiang , Cong Zhentao
Published: February 2016

Catchment hydrologic cycle takes on different patterns across temporal scales. The interim between event-scale hydrologic process and mean annual water-energy correlation pattern requires further examination to justify self-consistent understanding. In this paper, the temporal scale transition revealed by observation and simulation was evaluated in an information theoretical framework namedAleatory Epistemic Uncertainty Estimation. The Aleatory Uncertainty refers to posterior uncertainty of runoff given the input variables’ observations. The Epistemic Uncertainty refers to the posterior uncertainty increase due to the imperfect observationdecodingin models. Daily hydrometeorological observations in 24 catchments were aggregated from 10 days to 1 year before implementing the information analysis. Estimations of information contents and flows of hydrologic terms across temporal scales were related with the catchments’ seasonality type. It also showed that information distilled by the monthly and annual water balance models applied here did not correspond to that provided by observations around temporal scale from two months to half a year. This calls for a better understanding of seasonal hydrologic mechanism.
Respiratory Support for Pharmacologically Induced Hypoxia in Neonatal Calves
Authors: Donnelly C. G. , Quinn C. T. , Nielsen S. G. , Raidal S. L.
Published: February 2016

Practical methods to provide respiratory support to bovine neonates in a field setting are poorly characterised. This study evaluated the response of healthy neonatal calves with pharmacologically induced respiratory suppression to nasal oxygen insufflation and to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) delivered via an off-the-shelf device. Ten calves were randomised to receive either nasal oxygen insufflation (Group 1,n=5) or CPAP (Group 2,n=5) as a first treatment after induction of respiratory depression by intravenous administration of xylazine, fentanyl, and diazepam. Calves received the alternate treatment after 10 minutes of breathing ambient air. Arterial blood gas samples were obtained prior to sedation, following sedation, following the first and second treatment, and after breathing ambient air before and after the second treatment. Oxygen insufflation significantly increased arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) but was also associated with significant hypercapnia. When used as the first treatment, CPAP was associated with significantly decreased arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide but did not increase PaO2. These results suggest that the use of CPAP may represent a practical method for correction of hypercapnia associated with inadequate ventilation in a field setting, and further research is required to characterise the use of CPAP with increased inspired oxygen concentrations.
Effect of Water Adsorption on Cation-Surface Interaction Energy in the Na-Mordenite of 5.5 : 1 Si/Al Ratio
Authors: Diaby Sekou
Published: February 2016

The mobility of the Na+cations localized at the inner surface of the studied mordenite zeolite depends on the material surface properties. In this work, we show that the activation energy,ΔEhop, relating to the Na+cation hopping displacement is associated to the surface potential and therefore can be used to get a better insight into the zeolite surface properties. Indeed, when molecules as water are adsorbed at the surface, they modify the surface potential energy and hence influence the value ofΔEhop. If the adsorbed molecules are polar they directly interact with the cations which become more mobile. The more theΔEhopvalue is, the less the amount of adsorbed water molecules is. Alterations of theΔEhopvalue with respect to the amount of adsorbed water molecules are interpreted using the Dubinin model which is based on simple adsorption principle.
Evaluation of a Trapezoidal Predictive Controller for a Four-Wire Active Power Filter for Utility Equipment of Metro Railway, Power-Land Substations
Authors: Salas-Duarte Sergio , Araujo-Vargas Ismael , Ramirez-Hernandez Jazmin , Rivera Marco
Published: February 2016

The realization of an improved predictive current controller based on a trapezoidal model is described, and the impact of this technique is assessed on the performance of a 2 kW, 21.6 kHz, four-wire, Active Power Filter for utility equipment of Metro Railway, Power-Land Substations. The operation of the trapezoidal predictive current controller is contrasted with that of a typical predictive control technique, based on a single Euler approximation, which has demonstrated generation of high-quality line currents, each using a 400 V DC link to improve the power quality of an unbalanced nonlinear load of Metro Railway. The results show that the supply current waveforms become virtually sinusoidal waves, reducing the current ripple by 50% and improving its power factor from 0.8 to 0.989 when the active filter is operated with a 1.6 kW load. The principle of operation of the trapezoidal predictive controller is analysed together with a description of its practical development, showing experimental results obtained with a 2 kW prototype.
Altered Resting-State Amygdala Functional Connectivity after Real-Time fMRI Emotion Self-Regulation Training
Authors: Li Zhonglin , Tong Li , Guan Min , He Wenjie , Wang Linyuan , Bu Haibin , Shi Dapeng , Yan Bin
Published: February 2016

Real-time fMRI neurofeedback (rtfMRI-nf) is a promising tool for enhancing emotion regulation capability of subjects and for the potential alleviation of neuropsychiatric disorders. The amygdala is composed of structurally and functionally distinct nuclei, such as the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and centromedial amygdala (CMA), both of which are involved in emotion processing, generation, and regulation. However, the effect of rtfMRI-nf on the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of BLA and CMA remains to be elucidated. In our study, participants were provided with ongoing information on their emotion states by using real-time multivariate voxel pattern analysis. Results showed that participants presented significantly increased rsFC of BLA and CMA with prefrontal cortex, rostral anterior cingulate cortex, and some others related to emotion after rtfMRI-nf training. The findings provide important evidence for the emotion regulation effectiveness of rtfMRI-nf training and indicate its usefulness as a tool for the self-regulation of emotion.
High-Volume Transanal Surgery with CPH34 HV for the Treatment of III-IV Degree Haemorrhoids: Final Short-Term Results of an Italian Multicenter Clinical Study
Authors: Reboa Giuliano , Gipponi Marco , Gallo Maurizio , Ciotta Giovanni , Tarantello Marco , Caviglia Angelo , Pagliazzo Antonio , Masoni Luigi , Caldarelli Giuseppe , Gaj Fabio , Masci Bruno , Verdi Andrea
Published: February 2016

The clinical chart of 621 patients with III-IV haemorrhoids undergoing Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy (SH) with CPH34 HV in 2012–2014 was consecutively reviewed to assess its safety and efficacy after at least 12 months of follow-up. Mean volume of prolapsectomy was significantly higher (13.0 mL; SD, 1.4) in larger prolapse (9.3 mL; SD, 1.2) (p<0.001). Residual or recurrent haemorrhoids occurred in 11 of 621 patients (1.8%) and in 12 of 581 patients (1.9%), respectively. Relapse was correlated with higher preoperative Constipation Scoring System (CSS) (p=0.000),Pescatori’s degree (p=0.000),Goligher’s grade (p=0.003), prolapse exceeding half of the length of the Circular Anal Dilator (CAD) (p=0.000), and higher volume of prolapsectomy (p=0.000). At regression analysis, only the preoperative CSS,Pescatori’s degree,Goligher’s grade, and volume of resection were significantly predictive of relapse. A high level of satisfaction (VAS = 8.6; SD, 1.0) coupled with a reduction of 12-month CSS (Δ preoperative CSS/12 mo CSS = 3.4, SD, 2.0;p<0.001) was observed. The wider prolapsectomy achievable with CPH34 HV determined an overall 3.7% relapse rate in patients with high prevalence of large internal rectal prolapse, coupled with high satisfaction index, significant reduction of CSS, and very low complication rates.
SALMA: An Efficient State-Based Hybrid Routing Protocol for Mobile Nodes in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Umar Muhammad Muneer , Alrajeh Nabil , Mehmood Amjad
Published: February 2016

With the rapid development in mobile Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), it has become very essential to focus on the efficiency in performance of small sensing nodes operating in WSNs. While designing a routing protocol for mobile sensor nodes, the quality parameters like end-to-end delays and routing overhead are always considered. Moreover, the nodes in wirelessly connected mobile networks consume considerable power on routing more than other functionalities. Any modification in a standard routing protocol can also affect routing overhead, end-to-end delays, and energy consumption of nodes. In this paper a new hybrid routing protocol, named as State-Aware Link Maintenance Approach (SALMA), is introduced which is based on Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) and Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR) protocols. The work also focuses on the activeness of nodes in the network operations and defines three states of nodes, that is, white, gray, and black. The work concludes that the proposed protocol gives improvements in some quality of service metrics like lower delay than DSR, lower routing overhead than OLSR, and lesser energy consumption by the network nodes.
Carnitine and/or Acetylcarnitine Deficiency as a Cause of Higher Levels of Ammonia
Authors: Maldonado Cecilia , Guevara Natalia , Queijo Cecilia , González Raquel , Fagiolino Pietro , Vázquez Marta
Published: February 2016

Blood carnitine and/or acetylcarnitine deficiencies are postulated in the literature as possible causes of higher ammonia levels. The aim of this study was to investigate if the use of valproic acid, the age of the patients, or certain central nervous system pathologies can cause carnitine and/or acetylcarnitine deficiency leading to increased ammonia levels. Three groups of patients were studied: (A) epileptic under phenytoin monotherapy (n=31); (B) with bipolar disorder under valproic acid treatment (n=28); (C) elderly (n=41). Plasma valproic acid and blood carnitine and acyl carnitine profiles were determined using a validated HPLC and LC-MS/MS method, respectively. Blood ammonia concentration was determined using an enzymatic automated assay. Higher ammonia levels were encountered in patients under valproic acid treatment and in the elderly. This may be due to the lower carnitine and/or acetylcarnitine found in these patients. Patients with controlled seizures had normal carnitine and acetylcarnitine levels. Further studies are necessary in order to conclude if the uncontrolled bipolar disorder could be the cause of higher carnitine and/or acetylcarnitine levels.