bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two dopamine D2-like receptor genes from the silkworm (Bombyx mori) and their evolutionary history in metazoan
Authors: Chen Ping , Chen Peng , Li Tian , Shen Qi , Yan Deng-Feng , Zhang Liang , Chen Xi , Li Yan , Zhao Wei
Published: July 2017

Dopamine is widely distributed in metazoans and is implicated in many physiological functions. Dopaminergic signaling is mediated through two classes of dopamine receptors, D1-like and D2-like. Phylogeny analysis reveals that, the dopamine receptors probably appeared ahead of the cnidarian divergence, two distinct classes of dopamine receptors likely formed prior to the separation of deuterostomes and protostomes, and INDRs probably split from its ancestor before the emergence of nematodes. Two D2-like genes are closely linked on the same scaffold, and the chromosome region around D2-like gene loci show colinearity among different species within Lepidoptera. These indicate two D2-like and their adjunction genes are likely Lepidoptera-specific orthologs, and occur by gene duplication event taken place after Lepidoptera ancestor split from the common ancestor of Lepidoptera and Diptera. In silkworm, two D2-like genes were expressed in examined tissues, and encoded BmDop2R2 having all the features of D2-like receptors and BmDop2R1 being a truncated variant without the region of N-terminal to TM II. Only dopamine distinctly lowered cAMP levels in BmDop2R2-expressing cells, whereas all tested amines for BmDop2R1 had not markedly effect in pharmacological test. These suggest there is functional difference between the two genes, which are likely resulted from subfunctionalization of gene duplication.
Time trends of esophageal and gastric cancer mortality in China, 1991–2009: an age-period-cohort analysis
Authors: Li Mengmeng , Wan Xia , Wang Yanhong , Sun Yuanyuan , Yang Gonghuan , Wang Li
Published: July 2017

Esophageal and gastric cancers share some risk factors. This study aimed to compare the long-term trends in mortality rates of esophageal and gastric cancers in China to provide evidence for cancer prevention and control. Mortality data were derived from 103 continuous points of the Disease Surveillance Points system during 1991–2009, stratified by gender and urban-rural locations. Age-period-cohort models were used to disentangle the time trends of esophageal and gastric cancer mortality. The downward slope of the period effect for esophageal cancer was steeper than that for gastric cancer in rural areas. Cohort effect patterns were similar between esophageal and gastric cancers, with an inverse U-shape peaking around the late 1920s and early 1930s. A second peak, appearing around the 1950s, was weaker than the first but apparent in males, especially for esophageal cancer. The more marked changes in period effect for esophageal cancer in rural areas suggest esophageal cancer screening practices are effective in reducing mortality, and similar programs targeting gastric cancer should be implemented. The similarities of the cohort effects in these two cancers support the implication of nutrition deficiency in early childhood in the development of upper gastrointestinal cancer.
Assessments of iodoindoles and abamectin as inducers of methuosis in pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Rajasekharan Satish Kumar , Lee Jin-Hyung , Ravichandran Vinothkannan , Lee Jintae
Published: July 2017

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a quarantined migratory endoparasite known to cause severe economic losses in pine forest ecosystems. The study presents the nematicidal effects of halogenated indoles on B. xylophilus and their action mechanisms. 5-Iodoindole and abamectin (positive control) at low concentration (10 µg/mL) presented similar and high nematicidal activities against B. xylophilus. 5-Iodoindole diminished fecundity, reproductive activities, embryonic and juvenile lethality and locomotor behaviors. Molecular interactions of ligands with invertebrate-specific glutamate gated chloride channel receptor reinforced the notion that 5-iodoindole, like abamectin, rigidly binds to the active sites of the receptor. 5-Iodoindole also induced diverse phenotypic deformities in nematodes including abnormal organ disruption/shrinkage and increased vacuolization. These findings suggest the prospective role of vacuoles in nematode death by methuosis. Importantly, 5-iodoindole was nontoxic to two plants, Brassica oleracea and Raphanus raphanistrum. Henceforth, the study warrants the application of iodoindoles in ecological environments to control the devastating pine destruction by B. xylophilus.
A cell-based high-throughput screening assay system for inhibitor compounds of antigen presentation by HLA class II molecule
Authors: Watanabe Nobuo , Suzuki Yusuke , Yonezu Takahisa , Nakagawa Yuki , Shiina Takashi , Hirayama Noriaki , Inokuchi Sadaki , Inoue Shigeaki
Published: July 2017

A number of autoimmune diseases are associated with the genotypes of human leukocyte antigen class II (HLA), some of which present peptides derived from self-proteins, resulting in clonal expansion of self-reactive T cells. Therefore, selective inhibition of self-peptide loading onto such disease-associated HLA could ameliorate the diseases. To effectively identify such compounds, in this study, we established, for the first time, a cell- and 96-well microplate-based high-throughput screening system for inhibitors of antigen presentation. A panel of DRB1 genes plus DRA*01:01 gene were expressed in HEK293T cells and in 3T3 cells, and their binding with biotinylated known self-antigen peptides was measured by flow cytometry. HLA-DR1 (DRB1*01:01) and DR15 (DRB1*15:01) showed a high affinity with myelin basic protein peptide (MBP83-98). Therefore, in 96-well plate wells, MBP83-99 was allowed to bind to DR1 or DR15 on 3T3 cells in competition with a test compound, and the HLA-bound peptide was detected by streptavidin-conjugated β-galactosidase, thereby identifying inhibitor compounds for rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. Our assay system has a potential for broad applications, including designing peptide vaccines.
Integrated diagnostic network construction reveals a 4-gene panel and 5 cancer hallmarks driving breast cancer heterogeneity
Authors: Dai Xiaofeng , Hua Tongyan , Hong Tingting
Published: July 2017

Breast cancer encompasses a group of heterogeneous diseases, each associated with distinct clinical implications. Dozens of molecular biomarkers capable of categorizing tumors into clinically relevant subgroups have been proposed which, though considerably contribute in precision medicine, complicate our understandings toward breast cancer subtyping and its clinical translation. To decipher the networking of markers with diagnostic roles on breast carcinomas, we constructed the diagnostic networks by incorporating 6 publically available gene expression datasets with protein interaction data retrieved from BioGRID on previously identified 1015 genes with breast cancer subtyping roles. The Greedy algorithm and mutual information were used to construct the integrated diagnostic network, resulting in 37 genes enclosing 43 interactions. Four genes, FAM134B, KIF2C, ALCAM, KIF1A, were identified having comparable subtyping efficacies with the initial 1015 genes evaluated by hierarchical clustering and cross validations that deploy support vector machine and k nearest neighbor algorithms. Pathway, Gene Ontology, and proliferation marker enrichment analyses collectively suggest 5 primary cancer hallmarks driving breast cancer differentiation, with those contributing to uncontrolled proliferation being the most prominent. Our results propose a 37-gene integrated diagnostic network implicating 5 cancer hallmarks that drives breast cancer heterogeneity and, in particular, a 4-gene panel with clinical diagnostic translation potential.
Forest understory trees can be segmented accurately within sufficiently dense airborne laser scanning point clouds
Authors: Hamraz Hamid , Contreras Marco A. , Zhang Jun
Published: July 2017

Airborne laser scanning (LiDAR) point clouds over large forested areas can be processed to segment individual trees and subsequently extract tree-level information. Existing segmentation procedures typically detect more than 90% of overstory trees, yet they barely detect 60% of understory trees because of the occlusion effect of higher canopy layers. Although understory trees provide limited financial value, they are an essential component of ecosystem functioning by offering habitat for numerous wildlife species and influencing stand development. Here we model the occlusion effect in terms of point density. We estimate the fractions of points representing different canopy layers (one overstory and multiple understory) and also pinpoint the required density for reasonable tree segmentation (where accuracy plateaus). We show that at a density of ~170 pt/m² understory trees can likely be segmented as accurately as overstory trees. Given the advancements of LiDAR sensor technology, point clouds will affordably reach this required density. Using modern computational approaches for big data, the denser point clouds can efficiently be processed to ultimately allow accurate remote quantification of forest resources. The methodology can also be adopted for other similar remote sensing or advanced imaging applications such as geological subsurface modelling or biomedical tissue analysis.
Dual-Function Au@Y2O3:Eu3+ Smart Film for Enhanced Power Conversion Efficiency and Long-Term Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Kim Chang Woo , Eom Tae Young , Yang In Seok , Kim Byung Su , Lee Wan In , Kang Yong Soo , Kang Young Soo
Published: July 2017

In the present study, a dual-functional smart film combining the effects of wavelength conversion and amplification of the converted wave by the localized surface plasmon resonance has been investigated for a perovskite solar cell. This dual-functional film, composed of Au nanoparticles coated on the surface of Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor (Au@Y2O3:Eu3+) nanoparticle monolayer, enhances the solar energy conversion efficiency to electrical energy and long-term stability of photovoltaic cells. Coupling between the Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor monolayer and ultraviolet solar light induces the latter to be converted into visible light with a quantum yield above 80%. Concurrently, the Au nanoparticle monolayer on the phosphor nanoparticle monolayer amplifies the converted visible light by up to 170%. This synergy leads to an increased solar light energy conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells. Simultaneously, the dual-function film suppresses the photodegradation of perovskite by UV light, resulting in long-term stability. Introducing the hybrid smart Au@Y2O3:Eu3+ film in perovskite solar cells increases their overall solar-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency to 16.1% and enhances long-term stability, as compared to the value of 15.2% for standard perovskite solar cells. The synergism between the wavelength conversion effect of the phosphor nanoparticle monolayer and the wave amplification by the localized surface plasmon resonance of the Au nanoparticle monolayer in a perovskite solar cell is comparatively investigated, providing a viable strategy of broadening the solar spectrum utilization.
Influence of aridity and salinity on plant nutrients scales up from species to community level in a desert ecosystem
Authors: Gong Yanming , Lv Guanghui , Guo Zhenjie , Chen Yue , Cao Jing
Published: July 2017

Soil moisture and salt play key roles in regulating desert plant nutrient cycles on a local scale. However, information on the response of plant nutrient stoichiometric patterns to soil water and salt gradients is limited. Here, we assessed leaf N and P levels of 18 species of desert plants and measured the corresponding soil nutrient, water and salt concentrations, at four dry sites, five humid-saline sites and four humid-non-saline sites (reference sites) along a transect in a temperate desert in Xinjiang Province, northwest China. Our results indicated that the desert plants had lower N and P concentrations and higher N:P mass ratios in dry and humid-saline sites than in the humid-non-saline sites. Unlike the single-factor effect of salinity driving the plasticity of species N concentration, aridity and salinity interacted in their impact on the plasticity of plant P and the N:P ratio. Moreover, the plant community N and P concentrations and N:P ratio exhibited significant positive linear and nonlinear correlations with soil moisture in shallow and deep soil, respectively. Aridity reduced the N plasticity and increased P plasticity of the plant community. The results strongly supported the hypothesis that soil moisture and salt concentration were the dominant drivers of leaf N and P concentrations and their plasticity across species and community scales.
Reciprocal regulation of TLR2-mediated IFN-β production by SHP2 and Gsk3β
Authors: Park Jin Hee , Ko Ryeojin , Lee Soo Young
Published: July 2017

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) mediates the innate immune response to bacterial lipopeptides and peptidoglycans by stimulating the production of inflammatory cytokines. However, the mechanisms by which TLR2 signaling regulates type I interferon (IFN)-β production are poorly understood. Here, we identified Src homology 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2) as a negative regulator of TLR2-induced IFN-β production. Pharmacological inhibition or reduced expression of SHP2 potentiated TLR2 agonist-mediated IFN-β transcription and STAT1 activation, whereas overexpression of SHP2 impaired IFN-β transcription and STAT1 activation. SHP2 physically associated with the glycogen synthase kinase 3β (Gsk3β) in an agonist-dependent manner. Gsk3β positively regulates transcription of IFN-β following TLR2 stimulation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of SHP2. SHP2 inhibited the transcriptional activity of IRF-1 and IRF-8 at the IFN-β promoter. Remarkably, IRF-1 and IRF-8 are recruited to the IFN-β promoter in a SHP2 phosphatase activity-dependent manner. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms by which SHP2 and Gsk3β work together to modulate TLR2-mediated IFN-β production in macrophages.
New LnOCl (Ln = Sm, Nd) photocatalyst and novel cocatalytic effect on BiOCl in humid environment
Authors: Okumura Hideyuki , Adachi Ken , Yamasue Eiji , Ishihara Keiichi N.
Published: July 2017

Significant and novel cocatalytic effects of LnOCl/BiOCl composite photocatalysts (Ln = Sm, Nd) in highly humid air evaluated by nitric oxide photoremoval.
Ionic interaction-induced assemblies of bimolecular “chessboard” structures
Authors: Cai Zhen-Feng , Chen Ting , Gu Jing-Ying , Wang Dong , Wan Li-Jun
Published: July 2017

Here we applied ionic interactions as the driving force to fabricate well-ordered bicomponent assemblies by using two porphyrin ions equipped with oppositely-charged groups.
POSS solid solutions exhibiting orientationally disordered phase transitions
Authors: Morimoto Satoshi , Imoto Hiroaki , Naka Kensuke
Published: July 2017

A mixture of two different monofunctionalized heptaisobutyl-substituted octasilsesquioxanes formed solid solutions showing a single phase-transition temperature, which exhibited orientationally disordered (OD) phases.
Assembly of supertetrahedral clusters into a Cu–In–S superlattice via an unprecedented vertex–edge connection mode
Authors: Wang Hongxiang , Yang Huajun , Wang Wei , Xue Chaozhuang , Zhang Yingying , Luo Min , Hu Dandan , Lin Jian , Li Dongsheng , Wu Tao
Published: July 2017

We demonstrated the first case of a vertex–edge inter-cluster connection mode in a three-dimensional open-framework chalcogenide built from the largest known T5 cluster.
Interactions between haloperfluorobenzenes and fluoranthene in luminescent cocrystals from π-hole⋯π to σ-hole⋯π bonds
Authors: Li Lili , Wang Hui , Wang Weizhou , Jin Wei Jun
Published: July 2017

From π-hole⋯π to σ-hole⋯π bonds between haloperfluorobenzenes and fluoranthene in luminescent cocrystals.
Does the endohedral borospherene supersalt FLi2@B39maintain the “super” properties of its subunits?
Authors: Stasyuk A. J. , Solà M.
Published: July 2017

The behavior of the entirely unique system represented by superalkaline species incorporated into a superhalogen cage has been studied using density functional theory. The calculations revealed that superhalogen and superalkaline properties inherent in the separated fragments are lost in FLi2@B39complexes.
Long-lived excited states in metal clusters
Authors: Koop Alexander , Gantefoer Gerd , Kim Young Dok
Published: July 2017

Long-lived excited states may exist only in metal clusters with a weak coupling between the electronic and geometric structure.
Determination of the field strength and realization of the high-field anodization of aluminum
Authors: Xing Ji , Lu Sitong , Zhang Chi , Yin Min , Li Dongdong , Song Ye
Published: July 2017

The electric field strength during aluminum anodization was clarified, and this work can shed some light on the self-ordering mechanism of porous anodic alumina.
Optical properties and magnetic flux-induced electronic band tuning of a T-graphene sheet and nanoribbon
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Arka , Nandy Atanu , Chakrabarti Arunava , Jana Debnarayan
Published: July 2017

Tetragonal graphene (T-graphene) is a theoretically proposed dynamically stable, metallic allotrope of graphene.
Adsorption of anti-inflammatory nimesulide by graphene materials: a combined theoretical and experimental study
Authors: Jauris I. M. , Matos C. F. , Zarbin A. J. G. , Umpierres C. S. , Saucier C. , Lima E. C. , Fagan S. B. , Zanella I. , Machado F. M.
Published: July 2017

Interactions of anti-inflammatory nimesulide with different graphene material species were explored employing both ab initio calculations and a batch adsorption process.
Formation of unexpected silicon- and disiloxane-bridged multiferrocenyl derivatives bearing Si–O–CHCH2 and Si–(CH2)2C(CH3)3 substituents via cleavage of tetrahydrofuran and trapping of its ring fragments
Authors: Bruña Sonia , González-Vadillo Ana Mª , Ferrández Marta , Perles Josefina , Montero-Campillo M. Merced , Mó Otilia , Cuadrado Isabel
Published: July 2017

Two fragments resulting from the degradation of THF have been entrapped and stored in multiferrocenes.
Rational design of artificial dye-decolorizing peroxidases using myoglobin by engineering Tyr/Trp in the heme center
Authors: Li Le-Le , Yuan Hong , Liao Fei , He Bo , Gao Shu-Qin , Wen Ge-Bo , Tan Xiangshi , Lin Ying-Wu
Published: July 2017

Artificial dye-decolorizing peroxidases (DyPs) have been rationally designed using myoglobin (Mb) as a protein scaffold by engineering Tyr/Trp in the heme center, such as F43Y/F138 W Mb, which exhibited catalytic performance comparable to some native DyPs.
Comprehensive investigation of novel pore-graded gas diffusion layers for high-performance and cost-effective proton exchange membrane electrolyzers
Authors: Lettenmeier P. , Kolb S. , Sata N. , Fallisch A. , Zielke L. , Thiele S. , Gago A. S. , Friedrich K. A.
Published: July 2017

Innovative approach for producing GDLs of PEM electrolyzers enabling a significant reduction in the manufacturing cost and facilitating higher performance than from the state of the art.
Activation of (salen)CoI complex by phosphorane for carbon dioxide transformation at ambient temperature and pressure
Authors: Zhou Feng , Xie Shi-Liang , Gao Xiao-Tong , Zhang Rong , Wang Cui-Hong , Yin Guang-Qiang , Zhou Jian
Published: July 2017

The activation of a (salen)CoI complex by phosphorane in situ formed a bifunctional catalyst for the reaction of carbon dioxide with terminal epoxides or aziridines at ambient temperature and 1 bar carbon dioxide pressure.
Protein stability and dynamics influenced by ligands in extremophilic complexes – a molecular dynamics investigation
Authors: Khan Sara , Farooq Umar , Kurnikova Maria
Published: July 2017

In this study, we explore the structural and dynamic adaptations of theTryptophan synthaseα-subunit in a ligand bound state in psychrophilic, mesophilic and hyperthermophilic organisms at different temperatures by MD simulations.
Decoration of Pd and Pt nanoparticles on a carbon nitride (C3N4) surface for nitro-compounds reduction and hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Nazir Roshan , Fageria Pragati , Basu Mrinmoyee , Gangopadhyay Subhashis , Pande Surojit
Published: July 2017

Herein, we propose the synthesis of Pd and Pt monometallic nanoparticles on a carbon nitride (C3N4) surface for the reduction of nitro compounds as well as for electrocatalysis.
A solvatochromic cyanostilbene derivative as an intensity and wavelength-based fluorescent sensor for water in organic solvents
Authors: Zhang Yuping , Liang Chunshuang , Jiang Shimei
Published: July 2017

A new solvatochromic fluorescent cyanostilbene derivative was developed for the qualitative and quantitative detection of water in THF and dioxane, respectively.
An ex situ approach to fabricating nanosilica reinforced polyacrylamide grafted guar gum nanocomposites as an efficient biomaterial for transdermal drug delivery application
Authors: Dutta Koushik , Das Beauty , Mondal Dipankar , Adhikari Arpita , Rana Dipak , Kumar Chattopadhyay Atis , Banerjee Rajdeb , Mishra Roshnara , Chattopadhyay Dipankar
Published: July 2017

A novel biocompatible TDDS based on nano-silica reinforced polyacrylamide grafted guar-gum nanocomposite.
Facile synthesis of tunable plasmonic silver core/magnetic Fe3O4shell nanoparticles for rapid capture and effective photothermal ablation of bacterial pathogens
Authors: Fang Weijun , Zhang Hanyuan , Wang Xin , Wei Wenmei , Shen Yujun , Yu Jishuang , Liang Junxing , Zheng Jun , Shen Yuxian
Published: July 2017

Multifunctional Ag@Fe3O4–PEI nanoparticles have been developed for simultaneously capturing and photothermal killing bacteria in contaminated source.
A new dual-emission fluorescence sensor based on carbon nanodots and gold nanoclusters for the detection of melamine
Authors: Qu Fei , Xu Xiao , You Jinmao
Published: July 2017

A new dual-emission fluorescence sensor is developed to detect melamine, in which the gold nanoclusters serve as the signal section and the carbon nanodots serve as the internal reference.
Structural and mechanistic studies of the base-induced Sommelet–Hauser rearrangement of N-α-branched benzylic azetidine-2-carboxylic acid-derived ammonium salts
Authors: Tayama Eiji , Watanabe Kazutoshi , Sotome Sho
Published: July 2017

The base-induced Sommelet–Hauser rearrangement of N-α-branched benzylic azetidine-2-carboxylic acid ester-derived ammonium salts was demonstrated.
Nonlinear effects at the soft interface of an emulsion in the List–Lerner–Barbas aldol reaction
Authors: Dutta Jyoti , Wakdikar Nutan , Tiwari Shraeddha
Published: July 2017

“Soft” yet promising: Nonlinear asymmetric induction of the List–Lerner–Barbas aldol reaction observed at the soft interface of an emulsion opens up hitherto unexplored possibilities which were previously restricted to solid–liquid phase equilibria.
Stereoselective synthesis of the viridiofungin analogue NA808 from a chiral tetrahydrofuran-carboxylic acid
Authors: Murakata Masatoshi , Ikeda Takuma
Published: July 2017

The viridiofungin analogue NA808 was synthesized by the stereoselective Ireland–Claisen rearrangement of dienylmethyl ester, regioselective bromolactonization of β-divinylpropanoic acid and retro-bromolactonization.
Ag(i)-Catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions: synthesis of substituted phenanthrenes and naphthothiophenes
Authors: Saunthwal Rakesh K. , Danodia Abhinandan K. , Saini Kapil Mohan , Verma Akhilesh K.
Published: July 2017

Ag-Catalyzed synthesis of substituted phenanthrenes and naphthothiophenes fromortho-alkylated biaryl derivativesvia6-endo-digintramolecular alkyne–arene coupling has been described.
Catalyst-free [3 + 2] cyclization of imines and Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates: a general route to tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines and dihydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines
Authors: Tang Xue , Yang Ming-Cheng , Ye Cui , Liu Li , Zhou Hai-Lin , Jiang Xiao-Jie , You Xiao-Lin , Han Bo , Cui Hai-Lei
Published: July 2017

A mild and efficient catalyst-free [3 + 2] cyclization of isoquinoline imines and Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates has been developed.
Composition-driven Cu-speciation and reducibility in Cu-CHA zeolite catalysts: a multivariate XAS/FTIR approach to complexity
Authors: Martini A. , Borfecchia E. , Lomachenko K. A. , Pankin I. A. , Negri C. , Berlier G. , Beato P. , Falsig H. , Bordiga S. , Lamberti C.
Published: July 2017

Multivariate XAS analysis and in situ FTIR enable an unprecedented quantitative understanding of the composition impact on temperature-dependent Cu-speciation and reducibility in Cu-CHA zeolite catalysts.
Stretching of surface-tethered polymers in pressure-driven flow under confinement
Authors: Roy Tamal , Szuttor Kai , Smiatek Jens , Holm Christian , Hardt Steffen
Published: July 2017

Stretching of a surface tethered polymer chain in pressure-driven flow under confinement is governed mainly by the wall shear stress and the chain contour length.
The spatial arrangement of a single nanoparticle in a thin polymer film and its effect on the nanoparticle diffusion
Authors: Im Hesang , Oh Younghoon , Cho Hyun Woo , Kim Jeongmin , Paeng Keewook , Sung Bong June
Published: July 2017

A simulation snapshot for a nanoparticle in a thin polymer film and a phase diagram for the spatial arrangement of the nanoparticle within the thin polymer film.
Correction: Breath figure in non-aqueous vapor
Authors: Ding Jianyun , Zhang Aijuan , Bai Hua , Li Lei , Li Jian , Ma Zhi
Published: July 2017

Correction for ‘Breath figure in non-aqueous vapor’ by Jianyun Ding et al., Soft Matter, 2013, 9, 506–514.
Vocabulary Facilitates Speech Perception in Children With Hearing Aids
Authors: Klein Kelsey E. , Walker Elizabeth A. , Kirby Benjamin , McCreery Ryan W.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

We examined the effects of vocabulary, lexical characteristics (age of acquisition and phonotactic probability), and auditory access (aided audibility and daily hearing aid [HA] use) on speech perception skills in children with HAs.

Method

Participants included 24 children with HAs and 25 children with normal hearing (NH), ages 5–12 years. Groups were matched on age, expressive and receptive vocabulary, articulation, and nonverbal working memory. Participants repeated monosyllabic words and nonwords in noise. Stimuli varied on age of acquisition, lexical frequency, and phonotactic probability. Performance in each condition was measured by the signal-to-noise ratio at which the child could accurately repeat 50% of the stimuli.

Results

Children from both groups with larger vocabularies showed better performance than children with smaller vocabularies on nonwords and late-acquired words but not early-acquired words. Overall, children with HAs showed poorer performance than children with NH. Auditory access was not associated with speech perception for the children with HAs.

Conclusions

Children with HAs show deficits in sensitivity to phonological structure but appear to take advantage of vocabulary skills to support speech perception in the same way as children with NH. Further investigation is needed to understand the causes of the gap that exists between the overall speech perception abilities of children with HAs and children with NH.
A Newton method for capturing Pareto optimal solutions of fuzzy multiobjective optimization problems
Authors: Ghaznavi Mehrdad , Hoseinpoor Narges , Soleimani Fatemeh
Published: July 2017

In this study, a Newton method is developed to obtain (weak) Pareto optimal solutions of an unconstrained multiobjective optimization problem (MOP) with fuzzy objective functions. For this purpose, the generalized Hukuhara differentiability of fuzzy vector functions and fuzzy max-order relation on the set of fuzzy vectors are employed. It is assumed that the objective functions of the fuzzy MOP are twice continuously generalized Hukuhara differentiable. Under this assumption, the relationship between weakly Pareto optimal solutions of a fuzzy MOP and critical points of the related crisp problem is discussed. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed methodology. Finally, the convergence analysis of the method under investigation is discussed.
Unnatural Amino Acid Derivatives through Click Chemistry: Synthesis of Triazolylalanine Analogues
Authors: Patil Pravin , Luzzio Frederick
Published: July 2017

A novel tert-butyl 2-(1-oxoisoindolin-2-yl)acetate derivative is selectively alkylated with propargyl bromide in the presence of lithium hexamethyldisilazide. After removal of the tert-butyl protecting group, the resulting N-isoindolinyl (ethynylalanine) derivative is reacted with a series of azides under ‘click conditions’. The click reactions afford an array of N-isoindolinyl- 1,2,3-triazolylalanine derivatives as the free carboxylic acids. Following esterification, the N-isoindolinone protecting group is then transformed into the more easily removable phthaloyl group by selective oxidation at the benzylic position.
Highly Selective Catalytic Hydrogenation and Etherification of 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde to 2,5-Bis(alkoxymethyl)furans for Potential Biodiesel Production
Authors: Kim Jung , Lee Yoon-Sik , Han Jusung , Kim Yo-Han , Jung Byeong , Hwang Seung , Jegal Jonggon
Published: July 2017

5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (HMF) was hydrogenated to 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) in various n-alcohol solvents with more than 99% yield using Ru(OH)
x
/ZrO2 catalyst. The BHMF in the same solvents was subsequently etherified to give 2,5-bis(alkoxymethyl)furans (BAMFs, four examples) as potential biodiesels with moderate to good yields using Amberlyst-15.
Encapsulating Organic Crystals (EnOCs)
Authors: Richert Clemens , Krupp Felix
Published: July 2017

Achieving efficient capture, storage and release of small molecules is a challenge. Most materials that can harbor small molecules have been studied in the context of gas storage or separation. Formulations for hazardous reagents have only recently attracted attention, when organic compounds were discovered that encapsulate a broad range of guest molecules in crystals. Such encapsulating organic crystals (EnOCs) can suppress problematic properties of reagents and allow for controlled release in reaction mixtures. Unlike materials used for gas storage, which possess permanent porosity, their cavities are not held together by covalent or strong noncovalent interactions. Instead, EnOCs crystallize with the help of weaker packing forces. Substituted tetraaryladamantane octaethers can form high-loading inclusion compounds with reagents as guests, but they can also transition into tightly packed, solvate-free forms. Here we highlight the differences between EnOCs and known porous materials and discuss the potential of EnOCs as formulations in organic synthesis.
Posttraumatic Pneumocephalus: The Spectrum in a Tertiary Neurosurgery Center
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Hegde Ajay , R. Girish , Nair Rajesh
Published: July 2017

Traumatic head injuries are often encountered in the emergency triage, and usually these patients have open head injuries or traumatic pneumocephalus secondary to base of skull fractures. The first line of management involves conservative approaches that include the use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, loop diuretics, and, occasionally, lumbar CSF diversion techniques. Surgical intervention is considered once conservative management fails after 2 weeks of institution of conservative management. Here, we discuss the various clinical scenarios, clinical presentation, treatment dilemmas, and possible complications in patients with traumatic pneumocephalus.
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma: Review of Standard Imaging Evaluation and Typical Findings
Authors: Rolfes Mary , Guerin Julie , Brucker Justin , Kalina Peter
Published: July 2017

Evaluation of abusive head trauma (AHT) in children is an ongoing diagnostic challenge, as there are currently no standard criteria or objective tests for differentiating AHT from accidental trauma. The use of neuroradiologic imaging has an increasingly important role in identifying AHT and often involves a combination of skull radiographs, computerized tomography (CT), and conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diffusion-weighted imaging, susceptibility-weighted imaging, and occasionally magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Development of more advanced imaging techniques includes diffusion tensor imaging and arterial spin labeling. MRI may provide insight into different mechanisms of injury and long-term impacts of AHT. A better understanding of the available imaging modalities, typical findings, and their respective contribution to an accurate diagnosis can help guide physicians, other health care providers, as well as law enforcement in the evaluation of children with suspected AHT.
Salvage of an Osteocutaneous Fibula Flap with a Variant Perforator of Skin Paddle in Lower Leg Reconstruction
Authors: Kawamura Kenji , Omokawa Shohei , Shimizu Takamasa , Onishi Tadanobu , Hayashi Satoshi , Maegawa Naoki , Tanaka Yasuhito
Published: July 2017

Background The osteocutaneous fibula flap is an established method for reconstruction of bone and soft tissue defects in the lower extremity. The vascularity of the fibula and overlying skin paddle is usually provided by a single pedicle composed of the peroneal artery. In rare situations, the fibula is supplied by the peroneal artery, whereas the overlying skin paddle is supplied by perforators originating from the posterior tibial artery.

Case Report A 28-year-old man presented with osteomyelitis of the tibia that was scheduled to be treated with a free vascularized osteocutaneous fibula flap from the contralateral lower leg. Intraoperatively, it was found that perforators supplying the skin paddle originated not from the peroneal artery but from the posterior tibial artery. A fibula flap nourished by the peroneal vessels was harvested and the skin paddle was returned to the lower leg. The fibula was fixed at the recipient site, and peroneal vessels were anastomosed to the recipient posterior tibial vessels. The skin defect was successfully managed with a perforator-based propeller flap nourished by the recipient artery.

Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, only five authors have reported this variant vascularity of the osteocutaneous fibula flap. They harvested two independent flaps, one a skin flap and the other a fibula flap, and performed two separate vascular anastomoses at the recipient site. In comparison to previously reported cases, the salvage procedure using a perforator-based propeller flap is easy and reliable because there is no need for additional anastomosis of the perforator vessels.
Botox and Thumb MCP Radial Collateral Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Cates Robert , Brault Jeffrey , Kakar Sanjeev
Published: July 2017

Background We report the use of botulinum toxin to aid in the treatment of chronic radial collateral ligament insufficiency of the thumb.

Case Description Treatment included autograft tendon reconstruction and cast immobilization. Six weeks postoperatively, prior to hand therapy, the patient underwent an ultrasound-guided botulinum neurotoxin A injection into the adductor pollicis muscle to negate its deforming forces on the reconstruction. The patient made an excellent recovery and 1 year postoperatively was pain free and had a stable radial collateral ligament (RCL) upon examination.

Literature Review The outcomes of RCL repair and reconstruction are unpredictable, in part, due to the strong opposing forces of the adductor pollicis.

Clinical Relevance The use of Botox injection may enhance the outcomes of RCL repair or reconstruction by neutralizing the deforming forces of the adductor muscle.
Long Term Effects of Liraglutide in Japanese Patients with type 2 Diabetes Among the Subgroups with Different Renal Functions: Results of 2-Year Prospective Study
Authors: Hiramatsu Takeyuki , Ozeki Akiko , Ishikawa Hideaki , Furuta Shinji
Published: July 2017

Aims Very few studies have ever examined the effects of long-term (>1 year) administration of liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and renal impairment. Therefore, we conducted a 2-year study to prospectively examine the effects of liraglutide in those patients.

Methods A total of 148 patients with T2DM were enrolled and treated with liraglutide (0.6 or 0.9 mg/day). 97 patients completed the 2-year study without protocol deviations. These patients were divided into 3 groups according to the baseline estimated glomerular filtration ratio (eGFR) (in mL/min/1.73 m2): group A, ≥60 (n=39); group B, ≥30 to <60 (n=38); and group C, <30 (n=20). The changes in blood and urine variables, and echocardiographic left ventricular mass index (LVMI) from baseline to 2 years were analyzed in each group. Primary outcomes were changes of the renal parameters of eGFR and albuminuria after the treatment of liraglutide.

Results Blood glucose and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly after 24 months of liraglutide treatment in all groups compared with baseline (p<0.05). The eGFR increased significantly in group B (p<0.05), and remained unchanged in groups A and C. Albuminuria and LVMI decreased significantly in all 3 groups compared with baseline (p<0.05).

Conclusions These findings suggest that 2 years of liraglutide treatment in Japanese patients with T2DM and impaired renal function was effective in terms of suppressing the deterioration of renal function, and reducing albuminuria. Long-term liraglutide treatment also improved glycemic control and blood pressure, and reduced left ventricular hypertrophy in this study.
Nanoemulsion: An Advanced Vehicle For Efficient Drug Delivery
Authors: Ali Asad , Ansari Vaseem , Ahmad Usama , Akhtar Juber , Jahan Afroz
Published: July 2017

Advanced drug delivery system has now gained preference over the conventional drug delivery system. One such research is nanoemulsion which is famous among the researchers because of ease of formation, stability, clarity, increased absorption rate leading to increasing in bioavailability and potential to form a formulation with both lipophilic as well as the hydrophilic drug. Long lasting stability (up to years) and ability to encapsulate both lipophilic and hydrophilic drug has given this colloidal system a valuable position in drug delivery. This article contains information on components required for its fabrication, preparation methods and evaluation parameters along with its application in drug delivery and future aspects of this advanced drug delivery system.
Preparation and Characterization of PEGylated Iron Oxide-Gold Nanoparticles for Delivery of Sulforaphane and Curcumin
Authors: Danafar Hossein , Sharaﬁ Ali , Askarlou Sonia , Manjili Hamidreza
Published: July 2017

Natural products have been used for the treatment of various diseases such as cancer. Curcumin (CUR) and sulforaphane (SF) have anti-cancer effects, but their application is restricted because of their low water solubility and poor oral bioavailability. To improve the bioavailability and solubility of SF and CUR, we performed an advanced delivery of SF and CUR with PEGylated gold coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (PEGylated Fe3O4@Au NPs) to endorse SF and CUR maintenance as an effective and promising antitumor drugs. The structure of the synthesized nanocarrieris evaluated by, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results revealed that the size of NPs was 20 nm. They were mono-dispersed in water, with high drug-loading capacity and stability. CUR and SF were encapsulated into NPs with loading capacity of 16.32±0.023% and 15.74±0.015% and entrapment efficiency of 74.57±0.14% and 72.20±0.18% respectively. The in-vitro study of SF and CUR loaded PEGylated Fe3O4@Au NPs on human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (SK-BR-3) confirmed that cytotoxicity of SF and CUR can enhance when they are loaded on PEGylated Fe3O4@Au NPs in comparison to Free SF and void CUR. The results of flow cytometry and real-time PCR shown that nano-carriers can increase therapeutic effects of SF and CUR by apoptosis and necrosis induction as well as inhibiting of migration in SK-BR-3 cell line.
ISSR-Derived Species-Specific SCAR Marker for Rapid and Accurate Authentication of Ocimum tenuiflorum L.
Authors: Kumar Amit , Rodrigues Vereena , Mishra Priyanka , Baskaran Kuppusamy , Shukla Ashutosh , Shasany Ajit , Sundaresan Velusamy
Published: July 2017

Ocimum tenuiflorum has been widely used in traditional medicine and has high medicinal value. High volume trade of this potential medicinal plant species led to unscrupulous adulteration of both crude drugs as well as formulations. Morphology-based authentication is difficult in cases of incomplete or damaged samples and in dried herbal materials. In such cases, PCR-based molecular methods may aid in accurate identification. The present study aimed at developing species-specific DNA marker(s) for the authentication of O. tenuiflorum. A species-specific amplicon (279 bp) generated through an inter-simple sequence repeat marker (UBC 835) in all individuals of O. tenuiflorum was cloned, sequenced, and a primer pair was developed (designated as CIM-OT-835F/CIM-OT-835R). The newly developed sequence characterized amplified region marker was validated through PCR amplification in all available seven species of Ocimum, and its specificity for O. tenuiflorum was confirmed with the consistent generation of an amplicon of 177 bp. The developed marker can be used for accurate and rapid identification of the species for certification purposes and will be useful in quality control of medicinal preparations containing this important medicinal species.
Decoherence in high barrier quantum cascade structures
Authors: Freeman Will
Published: July 2017

High barrier AlxGa1–xAs terahertz quantum cascade structures with AlAs compositions up to 30% are studied. The influence of thermally excited leakage scattering to higher bound energy states and decoherence effects are investigated using a density matrix method where the pure dephasing time is self-consistently solved. The lattice temperature dependence of the light output in diagonal optical transition structures is calculated and shown to be consistent with experiment. Scattering from the upper lasing state to higher bound energy states is found to have minimal effects, and rather the decoherence from the calculated reduction of the pure dephasing time due to the impurity interaction is primarily responsible for the temperature dependence of a recently reported structure. This shows that the effects from an increased impurity interaction due to thinner barriers and different well dimensions can dominate over that from the increased interface roughness interaction due to higher potentials.
Design and control of interface reaction between Al-based dielectrics and AlGaN layer in AlGaN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor structures
Authors: Watanabe Kenta , Nozaki Mikito , Yamada Takahiro , Nakazawa Satoshi , Anda Yoshiharu , Ishida Masahiro , Ueda Tetsuzo , Yoshigoe Akitaka , Hosoi Takuji , Shimura Takayoshi , Watanabe Heiji
Published: July 2017

Important clues for achieving well-behaved AlGaN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices with Al-based gate dielectrics were systematically investigated on the basis of electrical and physical characterizations. We found that low-temperature deposition of alumina insulators on AlGaN surfaces is crucial to improve the interface quality, thermal stability, and variability of MOS devices by suppressing Ga diffusion into the gate oxides. Moreover, aluminum oxynitride grown in a reactive nitric atmosphere was proven to expand the optimal process window that would improve the interface quality and to enhance immunity against charge injection into the gate dielectrics. The results constitute common guidelines for achieving high-performance and reliable AlGaN/GaN MOS devices.
Size and density evolution of a single microparticle embedded in a plasma
Authors: Asnaz Oguz Han , Jung Hendrik , Greiner Franko , Piel Alexander
Published: July 2017

This article presents two measurement techniques to determine the diameter of a single dust particle during plasma operation. Using long-distance microscopy (LDM), the particle is imaged from outside the plasma chamber. In combination with phase-resolved resonance measurements, the development of volume-averaged particle mass density is measured over several hours. The measurements show a significant decrease of mass density for polymethyl methacrylate particles due to a plasma etching process on the surface. This is explained by a core-shell model and is supported by a surface roughness effect seen in the LDM images, an out-of-focus imaging of the angular Mie scattering pattern and ex-situ laser scattering microscopy measurements.
Large pyroelectric and thermal expansion coefficients in the [(CH3)2NH2]Mn (HCOO)3 metal-organic framework
Authors: Ma Yinina , Cong Junzhuang , Chai Yisheng , Yan Liqin , Shang Dashan , Sun Young
Published: July 2017

The [(CH3)2NH2]Mn(HCOO)3 perovskite metal-organic framework exhibits a first-order ferroelectric phase transition with a high polarization at Tc ∼ 192 K, induced by the order-disorder transition of hydrogen bonds. Accompanying this sharp phase transition, a huge pyroelectric coefficient with a peak value of 5.16 × 10−2 C/m2 K is detected. In addition, there is a large lattice expansion along the [012] direction at Tc, resulting in a giant linear thermal expansion coefficient as high as 35 000 ppm/K. These striking results indicate that ferroelectric metal-organic frameworks combing both merits of inorganic and organic compounds hold a great potential in generating superior pyroelectric and thermal expansion properties.
Bounds on Herglotz functions and fundamental limits of broadband passive quasistatic cloaking
Authors: Cassier Maxence , Milton Graeme W.
Published: July 2017

Using a sum rule, we derive new bounds on Herglotz functions that generalize those given in Bernland et al. [J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 44(14), 145205 (2011)] and Gustafsson and Sjöberg [New J. Phys. 12(4), 043046 (2010)]. These bounds apply to a wide class of linear passive systems such as electromagnetic passive materials. Among these bounds, we describe the optimal ones and also discuss their meaning in various physical situations like in the case of a transparency window, where we exhibit sharp bounds. Then, we apply these bounds in the context of broadband passive cloaking in the quasistatic regime to refute the following challenging question: is it possible to construct a passive cloaking device that cloaks an object over a whole frequency band? Our rigorous approach, although limited to quasistatics, gives quantitative limitations on the cloaking effect over a finite frequency range by providing inequalities on the polarizability tensor associated with the cloaking device. We emphasize that our results hold for a cloak or object of any geometrical shape.
Atomic-scale epitaxial aluminum film on GaAs substrate
Authors: Fan Yen-Ting , Lo Ming-Cheng , Wu Chu-Chun , Chen Peng-Yu , Wu Jenq-Shinn , Liang Chi-Te , Lin Sheng-Di
Published: July 2017

Atomic-scale metal films exhibit intriguing size-dependent film stability, electrical conductivity, superconductivity, and chemical reactivity. With advancing methods for preparing ultra-thin and atomically smooth metal films, clear evidences of the quantum size effect have been experimentally collected in the past two decades. However, with the problems of small-area fabrication, film oxidation in air, and highly-sensitive interfaces between the metal, substrate, and capping layer, the uses of the quantized metallic films for further ex-situ investigations and applications have been seriously limited. To this end, we develop a large-area fabrication method for continuous atomic-scale aluminum film. The self-limited oxidation of aluminum protects and quantizes the metallic film and enables ex-situ characterizations and device processing in air. Structure analysis and electrical measurements on the prepared films imply the quantum size effect in the atomic-scale aluminum film. Our work opens the way for further physics studies and device applications using the quantized electronic states in metals.