bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of key metabolic changes during liver fibrosis progression in rats using a urine and serum metabolomics approach
Authors: Chang Hong , Meng Hong-yu , Liu Shu-min , Wang Yu , Yang Xiao-xu , Lu Fang , Wang Hong-yu
Published: September 2017

Reversibility of hepatic fibrosis is an intrinsic response to chronic injury, and with on-going damage, fibrosis can progress to its end-stage consequence, cirrhosis. Non-invasive and reliable biomarkers for early detection of liver fibrosis are needed. Based on the CCl4-induced liver fibrosis rat model, urinary and serum metabolic profiling performed by LC-QTOF-MS associated with histological progression were utilized to identify liver fibrosis-specific potential biomarkers for early prediction and to reveal significant fibrotic pathways and their dynamic changes in different stages of liver fibrosis. Finally, nine differential metabolites in urine and ten in serum were selected and identified involving the most relevant metabolic pathways. Perturbations of tryptophan, valine, leucine, isoleucine, and citrate (TCA) cycle metabolites, along with sphingolipid and glycerophospholipid metabolites, occurred from the onset of liver fibrosis. Furthermore, dysregulation of valine and bile acid biosynthesis metabolites occurred in the intermediate and advanced stages. More importantly, among these metabolites, urinary kynurenic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetyl glycine, 4-(2-amino-3-hydroxyphenyl)-2,4-dioxobutanoic acid and serum sphinganine, sphingomyelin,﻿ L-leucine, L-tryptophan, and LysoPC(17:0) changed at all time points and may serve as potential early biomarkers for the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis and as therapeutic targets. Overall, this work evaluates the potential of these metabolites for the early detection of liver fibrosis.
Sources of Variation in the Gut Microbial Community of Lycaeides melissa Caterpillars
Authors: Chaturvedi Samridhi , Rego Alexandre , Lucas Lauren K. , Gompert Zachariah
Published: September 2017

Microbes can mediate insect-plant interactions and have been implicated in major evolutionary transitions to herbivory. Whether microbes also play a role in more modest host shifts or expansions in herbivorous insects is less clear. Here we evaluate the potential for gut microbial communities to constrain or facilitate host plant use in the Melissa blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa). We conducted a larval rearing experiment where caterpillars from two populations were fed plant tissue from two hosts. We used 16S rRNA sequencing to quantify the relative effects of sample type (frass versus whole caterpillar), diet (plant species), butterfly population and development (caterpillar age) on the composition and diversity of the caterpillar gut microbial communities, and secondly, to test for a relationship between microbial community and larval performance. Gut microbial communities varied over time (that is, with caterpillar age) and differed between frass and whole caterpillar samples. Diet (host plant) and butterfly population had much more limited effects on microbial communities. We found no evidence that gut microbe community composition was associated with caterpillar weight, and thus, our results provide no support for the hypothesis that variation in microbial community affects performance in L. melissa.
Interrogation of γ-tubulin alleles using high-resolution fitness measurements reveals a distinct cytoplasmic function in spindle alignment
Authors: Shulist Kristian , Yen Eric , Kaitna Susanne , Leary Allen , Decterov Alexandra , Gupta Debarun , Vogel Jackie
Published: September 2017

γ-Tubulin has a well-established role in nucleating the assembly of microtubules, yet how phosphorylation regulates its activity remains unclear. Here, we use a time-resolved, fitness-based SGA approach to compare two γ-tubulin alleles, and find that the genetic interaction profile of γtub-Y362E is enriched in spindle positioning and cell polarity genes relative to that of γtub-Y445D, which is enriched in genes involved in spindle assembly and stability. In γtub-Y362E cells, we find a defect in spindle alignment and an increase in the number of astral microtubules at both spindle poles. Our results suggest that the γtub-Y362E allele is a separation-of-function mutation that reveals a role for γ-tubulin phospho-regulation in spindle alignment. We propose that phosphorylation of the evolutionarily conserved Y362 residue of budding yeast γ-tubulin contributes to regulating the number of astral microtubules associated with spindle poles, and promoting efficient pre-anaphase spindle alignment.
Diffusion kurtosis imaging evaluating epithelial–mesenchymal transition in colorectal carcinoma xenografts model: a preliminary study
Authors: Liu Huanhuan , Shen Wenbin , Zhang Caiyuan , Cui Yanfen , Li Jinning , Zhang Tingting , Chen Weibo , Wang Dengbin
Published: September 2017

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in aggravating invasiveness and metastatic behavior of colorectal cancer (CRC). Identification of EMT is important for structuring treatment strategy, but has not yet been studied by using noninvasive imaging modality. Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) is an advanced diffusion weighted model that could reflect tissue microstructural changes in vivo. In this study, EMT was induced in CRC cells (HCT116) by overexpressing Snail1 gene. We aimed to investigate the value of DKI in identifying EMT in CRC and decipher the correlations between DKI-derived parameters and EMT biomarker E-cadherin and cell proliferative index Ki-67 expression. Our results revealed that HCT116/Snail1 cells presented changes consistent with EMT resulting in significant increase in migration and invasion capacities. DKI could identify CRC with EMT, in which the DKI-derived parameter diffusivity was significantly lower, and kurtosis was significantly higher than those in the CRC/Control. Diffusivity was negatively and kurtosis was positively correlated with Ki-67 expression, whereas diffusivity was positively and kurtosis was negatively correlated with E-cadherin expression. Therefore, our study concluded that DKI can identify EMT in CRC xenograft tumors. EMT-contained CRC tumors with high Ki-67 and low E-cadherin expression were vulnerable to have lower diffusivity and higher kurtosis coefficients.
The role of metronomic capecitabine for treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation
Authors: Ravaioli Matteo , Cucchetti Alessandro , Pinna Antonio Daniele , De Pace Vanessa , Neri Flavia , Barbera Maria Aurelia , Maroni Lorenzo , Frega Giorgio , Palloni Andrea , De Lorenzo Stefania , Ripoli Maria Cristina , Pantaleo Maria Abbondanza , Cescon Matteo , Del Gaudio Massimo , Brandi Giovanni
Published: September 2017

The management of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma untreatable with surgical options is based on systemic therapy with sorafenib. Due to the high rates of adverse events connected to the therapy with sorafenib, metronomic capecitabine seems a promising strategy for these patients. We analyzed the data of 38 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma recurrent after liver transplantation performed at our center. We compared the outcome of 17 patients receiving metronomic capecitabine versus 20 patients experiencing best supportive care and versus the data of the literature about treatment with sorafenib. In the group treated with metronomic capecitabine we observed an increased survival after tumor recurrence at the univariate and multivariate analysis compared to the group of best supportive care (median 22 months vs. 7 months, p < 0.01). Data from the literature on the use of sorafenib showed outcomes like our study group, with similar patient and tumoral features. The episodes of acute rejection and the tumor stage at the recurrence showed a correlation with patient survival at the univariate analysis. The metronomic capecitabine for hepatocellular cancer recurrent after liver transplantation seems effective without important adverse events and comparable results to sorafenib.
Microwave properties of the single-layer periodic structure composites composed of ethylene-vinyl acetate and polycrystalline iron fibers
Authors: Guo Zhibo , Huang Hailong , Xie Ding , Xia Hui
Published: September 2017

A single-layer microwave absorbing structure composed of the ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) powders and polycrystalline iron fibers (PIFs) with thickness of 2 mm, which has a periodic array of circular hole, is designed and fabricated using the mechanical method. We show that the reflection loss (RL) can be easily adjusted by changing the geometric parameters. The maximum RL is 18.7 dB at 15 GHz, and the effective absorption bandwidth of 1.7 GHz for the diameter of circular hole is 10 mm, and enhanced to be 23.7 dB at 15.1 GHz with the corresponding bandwidth of 7.2 GHz when the diameter decreases to 5 mm. The measured absorption of the composite is in good accordance with the simulation results. Furthermore, the possible absorption mechanism of the composite has been discussed. Our results illustrate that the integration of frequency selective surface (FSS) with traditional PIFs can achieve a wide frequency range of a strong absorption.
Large manipulative experiments revealed variations of insect abundance and trophic levels in response to the cumulative effects of sheep grazing
Authors: Ma Jingchuan , Huang Xunbing , Qin Xinghu , Ding Yong , Hong Jun , Du Guilin , Li Xinyi , Gao Wenyuan , Zhang Zhuoran , Wang Guangjun , Wang Ning , Zhang Zehua
Published: September 2017

Livestock grazing can affect insects by altering habitat quality; however, the effects of grazing years and intensities on insect abundance and trophic level during manipulative sheep grazing are not well understood. Therefore, we investigated these effects in a large manipulative experiment from 2014 to 2016 in the eastern Eurasian steppe, China. Insect abundance decreased as sheep grazing intensities increased, with a significant cumulative effect occurring during grazing years. The largest families, Acrididae and Cicadellidae, were susceptible to sheep grazing, but Formicidae was tolerant. Trophic primary and secondary consumer insects were negatively impacted by increased grazing intensities, while secondary consumers were limited by the decreased primary consumers. Poor vegetation conditions caused by heavy sheep grazing were detrimental to the existence of Acrididae, Cicadellidae, primary and secondary consumer insects, but were beneficial to Formicidae. This study revealed variations in insect abundance and trophic level in response to continuous sheep grazing in steppe grasslands. Overall, our results indicate that continuous years of heavy- and over- sheep grazing should be eliminated. Moreover, our findings highlight the importance of more flexible sheep grazing management and will be useful for developing guidelines to optimize livestock production while maintaining species diversity and ecosystem health.
Next Generation Sequencing Plus (NGS+) with Y-chromosomal Markers for Forensic Pedigree Searches
Authors: Qian Xiaoqin , Hou Jiayi , Wang Zheng , Ye Yi , Lang Min , Gao Tianzhen , Liu Jing , Hou Yiping
Published: September 2017

There is high demand for forensic pedigree searches with Y-chromosome short tandem repeat (Y-STR) profiling in large-scale crime investigations. However, when two Y-STR haplotypes have a few mismatched loci, it is difficult to determine if they are from the same male lineage because of the high mutation rate of Y-STRs. Here we design a new strategy to handle cases in which none of pedigree samples shares identical Y-STR haplotype. We combine next generation sequencing (NGS), capillary electrophoresis and pyrosequencing under the term ‘NGS+’ for typing Y-STRs and Y-chromosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (Y-SNPs). The high-resolution Y-SNP haplogroup and Y-STR haplotype can be obtained with NGS+. We further developed a new data-driven decision rule, FSindex, for estimating the likelihood for each retrieved pedigree. Our approach enables positive identification of pedigree from mismatched Y-STR haplotypes. It is envisaged that NGS+ will revolutionize forensic pedigree searches, especially when the person of interest was not recorded in forensic DNA database.
A first principles study of spinel ZnFe2O4 for electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Guo Haoyue , Zhang Yiman , Marschilok Amy C. , Takeuchi Kenneth J. , Takeuchi Esther S. , Liu Ping
Published: September 2017

The interplay among Li, O2−, Fe3+ and Zn2+ enables the high performance of ZnFe2O4 as Lithium ion battery materials.
Scalable cross-point resistive switching memory and mechanism through an understanding of H2O2/glucose sensing using an IrOx/Al2O3/W structure
Authors: Chakrabarti Somsubhra , Maikap Siddheswar , Samanta Subhranu , Jana Surajit , Roy Anisha , Qiu Jian-Tai
Published: September 2017

The resistive switching characteristics of a scalable IrOx/Al2O3/W cross-point structure and its mechanism for pH/H2O2 sensing along with glucose detection have been investigated for the first time.
The C-terminal cytidine deaminase domain of APOBEC3G itself undergoes intersegmental transfer for a target search, as revealed by real-time NMR monitoring
Authors: Kamba Keisuke , Nagata Takashi , Katahira Masato
Published: September 2017

The deamination activity of A3G-CTD was first increased, but then decreased, which indicated that A3G undergoes the intersegmental transfer.
Metal-free carbon as a catalyst for oxidative coupling: solvent-enhanced poly-coupling with regioselectivity
Authors: Shaikh Melad , Sahu Aanchal , Kiran Kumar A. , Sahu Mahendra , Singh Sunil. K. , Ranganath Kalluri V. S.
Published: September 2017

Herein, heterogeneous, inexpensive, metal-free, and environmentally friendly graphene oxide (GO) was developed for the oxidative polycoupling of 2-naphthols in aqueous sodium hydroxide in the presence of air.
Hierarchical thermoplastic rippled nanostructures regulate Schwann cell adhesion, morphology and spatial organization
Authors: Masciullo Cecilia , Dell'Anna Rossana , Tonazzini Ilaria , Böettger Roman , Pepponi Giancarlo , Cecchini Marco
Published: September 2017

Hierarchical rippled nanotopographies are produced in PET. The effects of these nano-ripples on Schwann Cells are studied for nerve-repair applications.
Yolk shell nanocomposite particles as bioactive bone fillers and growth factor carriers
Authors: Shi Pujiang , Abbah Sunny A. , Chuah Yon Jin , Li Jun , Zhang Yong , He Pengfei , Wong Hee Kit , Goh James C. H.
Published: September 2017

Yolk shell particle-based bone filler forms a porous structurein situand delivers bioactive BMP-2 to enhance bone defect healing.
Autologous growth of nickel oxyhydroxides with in situ electrochemical iron doping for efficient oxygen evolution reactions
Authors: Asnavandi Majid , Zhao Chuan
Published: September 2017

Nickel foam has been electrochemically roughened and in situ doped with iron for efficient oxygen evolution reactions in alkaline media.
Photoredox organocatalytic α-amino C(sp3)–H functionalization for the synthesis of 5-membered heterocyclic γ-amino acid derivatives
Authors: Liu Jing , Xie Jin , Zhu Chengjian
Published: September 2017

A photoredox organocatalytic, highly selective α-amino C(sp3)–H bond functionalization offers an elegant intramolecular access to cyclic γ-amino acid analogues in satisfactory yields.
Rearranged limonoids with unique 6/5/6/5 tetracarbocyclic skeletons from Toona ciliata and biomimetic structure divergence
Authors: Luo Jun , Huang Wan-Sha , Hu Sheng-Mou , Zhang Pan-Pan , Zhou Xu-Wei , Wang Xiao-Bing , Yang Ming-Hua , Luo Jian-Guang , Wang Chen , Liu Chang , Yao He-Quan , Zhang Can , Sun Hong-Bin , Chen Yi-Jun , Kong Ling-Yi
Published: September 2017

Rearranged limonoids with 6/5/6/5 carbon skeletons, were characterized as metabolite and biomimetic products.
Virtual storage capacity using demand response management to overcome intermittency of solar PV generation
Authors: Kandasamy Nandha Kumar , Tseng King Jet , Boon‐Hee Soong
Published: September 2017

The integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems into the distribution network creates various stability and reliability issues associated with the intermittency of solar PV power generation. Energy storage is a vital component required for overcoming the intermittency of solar PV. This study presents a priority‐based demand response management (DRM) for loads with large time constants to create virtual energy storage. The virtual energy storage thus created can be used for partial levelling of intermittent output from solar PVs. The proposed DRM algorithm involves controlling loads with large time constants such as air conditioning systems and refrigerators based on the forecasted solar PV generation. The proposed method is evaluated using data‐driven simulations, weather data and mathematical models. The proposed algorithm is highly suitable for megacities that have high number of multi‐storey residential buildings. Utilising the virtual storage capacity available from the appliances will reduce the investment as well as the operation cost of renewable energy such as solar PV. Analyses on impact on temperature, percentage of interruptions, cost savings and impact on energy storage sizing are also presented for evaluating the performance of the proposed algorithm.
Process and tools for optimising wind power projects connected to weak grids
Authors: Schwanka Trevisan Aramis , Mendonça Ângelo , Fischer Markus , Adloff Stephan , Nikolai Swantje , El‐Deib Amgad
Published: September 2017

Integration of wind power plants (WPPs) into weak electric grids has gained a lot of interest in recent years due to an increase in sites with low short‐circuit power at the point of connection. In response to this reality, wind turbine (WT) manufacturers have been working on developing suitable technical functionalities. However, it can be argued that technology is not the only challenge faced during the interconnection of WPP to a weak grid. This study aims at proposing and demonstrating the application of a process that can be applied to optimise many aspects of such projects and outlines the tools needed to do so. Outcomes and experiences from applying this process and its tools to a real project including steady‐state and time‐domain simulation results are also presented. It is shown that, in order to successfully interconnect WPPs into weak grids without putting power system safety and reliability at risk, strong collaboration between project developers, network operators, consultants and WT manufacturers is crucial. The proposed process will greatly support all stake holders involved in developing the market of WPPs connected to weak grids.
Investigation on the effects of variable shear stress on monocyte cell morphology
Authors: Birol Semra Zuhal , Fucucuoglu Rana , Cadirci Sertac , Sayi‐Yazgan Ayca , Trabzon Levent
Published: September 2017

Microchannels fabricated by soft lithography have been favourable in mechanobiological applications for cell culture platforms, especially shear stress studies. Normally, physiological shear stress levels for veins are between 10 and 70 dynes/cm2 (1–7 Pa) and arteries between 1 and 6 dynes/cm2 (0.1–0.7 Pa). In this work, a circular system has been set up by microfluidic pump to mimic physiological environment of monocyte cells for monitoring structural changes at various levels of shear stresses. Shear stresses at 4, 15 and 45 Pa, low, medium and high stresses, respectively, simulated by CFD have been applied on THP‐1 cells under different flow rates for 0.5 and 3 h. These cells, which passed through microchannels under these experimental conditions were analysed for their F‐actin content by staining with phalloidin and determination of mean fluorescence intensity by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. An increase in THP‐1 monocytic cell actin polymerisation is significant in the case of 15 Pa, and slight in the case of 45 Pa shear stress conditions for 0.5 h. This may reflect the structural adaptation of monocytes during a pathological condition such as atherosclerosis.
Using nanodiamond particles in photoanode of dye‐sensitised solar cell
Authors: Hejazi Seyyed Mohammad Hossein , Mohandesi Jamshid Aghazadeh
Published: September 2017

In this work, nanodiamond (ND) particles were used as a scattering layer in a photoanode of a dye‐sensitised solar cell (DSSC). The thickness of the ND layer was controlled by spin‐coating speed. Current–voltage (I–V) test results showed that the thickness of the ND scattering layer is an important factor affecting cell efficiency. The best cell efficiency achieved was 6.16% with a spin‐coating speed of 2000 rpm, which was 15% higher than the DSSC without the scattering layer.
The AMBRE project: a study of Li evolution in the Galactic thin and thick discs
Authors: Prantzos N. , de Laverny P. , Guiglion G. , Recio-Blanco A. , Worley C. C.
Published: September 2017

Context. Recent observations suggest a double-branch behaviour of Li/H versus metallicity in the local thick and thin discs. This is reminiscent of the corresponding O/Fe versus Fe/H behaviour, which has been explained as resulting from radial migration in the Milky Way disc.

Aims. We study here the role of radial migration in shaping these observations.

Methods. We use a semi-analytical model of disc evolution with updated chemical yields and parameterised radial migration. We explore the cases of long-lived (red giants of a few Gy lifetime) and shorter-lived (asymptotic giant branch stars of several 108 yr) stellar sources of Li, as well as those of low and high primordial Li. We show that both factors play a key role in the overall Li evolution.

Results. We find that the observed two-branch Li behaviour is only directly obtained in the case of long-lived stellar Li sources and low primordial Li. In all other cases, the data imply systematic Li depletion in stellar envelopes, thus no simple picture of the Li evolution can be obtained. This concerns also the reported Li/H decrease at supersolar metallicities.
Spätinfekt in der Endoprothetik
Authors: Flesch Ingo , Arnscheidt Christian , Ihle Christoph
Published: September 2017

Endoprotheseninfektionen stellen sowohl eine deutliche Bedrohung für den Patienten als auch eine besondere Herausforderung für den behandelnden Arzt sowie für das Gesundheitssystem dar. Der Früh- oder Spätinfekt wird als entzündlicher Prozess in Verbindung mit einer Endoprothese, verursacht durch Mikroorganismen, definiert. Der vorliegende Übersichtsartikel gibt einen Überblick zur den diagnostischen und therapeutischen Fortschritten bei der periprothetischen Spätinfektion.
Anwendung der ICF in einer onkologischen Schwerpunktklinik für Anschlussrehabilitation anhand von praktischen Beispielen
Authors: Lübbe Andreas , Stange Jan-Hinnerk , Kress Thomas , Böhme Carina , Reinhold Karl-Heinz , Schnieders Bernharda , Discher Silja , Horstmann Andrea , Koch Christina , Hillebrand Martin , Dreier Rita , Ennenbach Michael
Published: September 2017

Die Internationale Klassifikation der Funktionsfähigkeit, Behinderung und Gesundheit (ICF) der Akutmedizin steht der Internationale Klassifikation von Krankheiten (ICD) im Bereich der medizinischen Rehabilitation gleichberechtigt gegenüber. Während die ICD vor allen Dingen als Abrechnungsinstrument verstanden wird, handelt es sich bei der ICF um eine theoretische Konstruktion der WHO, wodurch auf der Basis von Krankheiten und ihren Behandlungen die dann folgenden Störungen der Teilhabe in der Gesellschaft unterteilt und definiert werden. Krankheiten und ihren Therapien folgen Strukturdefekte mit entsprechenden Funktionsbeeinträchtigungen. Daraus resultieren Partizipationsstörungen. Die theoretischen Konstruktionsmerkmale in die Praxis umzusetzen erfordert ein individuelles Vorgehen entsprechend der spezifischen Bedürfnisse des Patienten. Anhand von Patienten mit bösartigen Neubildungen im Kopf-Hals-Bereich und entsprechenden Sprech- und Schluckproblemen wird die ICF praxisnah erläutert und in Bezug auf die praktische Umsetzung dargestellt. So kann es gelingen, durch ein optimal abgestimmtes Reha-Programm die Folgestörungen einer onkologischen Therapie mit der Lebenswirklichkeit von Patienten abzugleichen, um eine individuelle und bestmögliche Lebensplanung unter Einbeziehung besonderer beruflicher Problemlagen zu ermöglichen, mithin den Ansprüchen einer gelingenden Rehabilitation zu genügen.
Multidisziplinäre Tumorboards: Fakten und Zufriedenheitsanalyse eines unverzichtbaren Instruments von Tumorzentren
Authors: Engelhardt Monika , Selder Ricarda , Pandurevic Masa , Möller Mandy , Ihorst Gabriele , Waldschmidt Johannes , Herget Georg , Wäsch Ralph
Published: September 2017

Hintergrund und Fragestellung Ein etablierter Weg, die optimale Behandlung von Tumorpatienten zu gewährleisten, stellen interdisziplinäre Tumorboards (TBs) dar, die im „Nationalen Krebsplan“ und „Leitlinien der Fachgesellschaften“ als zeitgemäßer Standard der onkologischen Versorgung eingefordert werden. Diese Arbeit untersuchte die Fragen an das Multiple Myelom (MM)-TB, den Befolgungs- und Evidenzgrad, Frequenz der Studieneinschlüsse, Überleben und die Zufriedenheit der TB-Teilnehmer, -Zuweiser und -Patienten.

Patienten und Methodik 498 TB-Empfehlungen wurden hinsichtlich der TB-Fragestellungen, Vorstellungsfrequenz, Befolgungs-, Evidenzgrad und Studieneinschlüssen retrospektiv analysiert und eine Zufriedenheitsanalyse anhand zuvor an gesunden Probanden intensiv getesteter Fragebögen prospektiv durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse Nach Einführung des MM-TBs konnte die Vorstellungsfallzahl kontinuierlich gesteigert werden; Fragestellungen umfassten symptomatische MM-Patienten und die bestmögliche Antimyelomtherapie. Der Umsetzungs- und Evidenzgrad der TB-Empfehlungen war mit 94 bzw. 96,5 % sehr zufriedenstellend, alle Nichtbefolgungen waren nachvollziehbar begründet. Studieneinschlüsse wurden durch das TB verbessert, 18,8 % der Patienten konnten in laufende MM-Studien eingeschlossen werden. Das mediane progressionsfreie und Gesamtüberleben der MM-TB-Patienten lag bei 2,9 bzw. 4,7 Jahren, ebenso zeigte sich das von erheblich vortherapierten, rezidiviert/refraktären Patienten vergleichsweise günstig. Die Zufriedenheitsanalyse an 58 Teilnehmern, 33 Zuweisern und 100 MM-Patienten wies das MM-TB als vorteilhaft aus.

Folgerung Die Analysen zum TB-Istzustand, Befolgungs- und Evidenzgrad, Überleben und zur Zufriedenheit von Teilnehmern, Zuweisern und Patienten könnten Beispielcharakter für andere TBs haben und weiterführende Untersuchungen zu TBs anregen.
Isotope effects in aqueous solvation of simple halides
Authors: Videla Pablo E. , Rossky Peter J. , Laria D.
Published: September 2017

We present a path-integral-molecular-dynamics study of the thermodynamic stabilities of DOH⋯ X− and HOD⋯ X− (X = F, Cl, Br, I) coordination in aqueous solutions at ambient conditions. In agreement with experimental evidence, our results for the F− case reveal a clear stabilization of the latter motif, whereas, in the rest of the halogen series, the former articulation prevails. The DOH⋯ X− preference becomes more marked the larger the size of the ionic solute. A physical interpretation of these tendencies is provided in terms of an analysis of the global quantum kinetic energies of the light atoms and their geometrical decomposition. The stabilization of the alternative ionic coordination geometries is the result of a delicate balance arising from quantum spatial dispersions along parallel and perpendicular directions with respect to the relevant O–H⋯X− axis, as the strength of the water-halide H-bond varies. This interpretation is corroborated by a complementary analysis performed on the different spectroscopic signals of the corresponding IR spectra.
Space charge oscillations in semiinsulating CdZnTe
Authors: Dědič V. , Rejhon M. , Franc J. , Musiienko A. , Grill R.
Published: September 2017

Our work focuses on a detailed analysis of non-trivial temporal evolution of the electric field measured by the Pockels effect in a CdZnTe planar sample after biasing. The electric field varies, and in a couple of seconds, it reaches a steady state. We have observed an undershoot of the electric field evolution close to the cathode which is a sign of a local oscillation of the space charge density. An advanced deep level analysis based on thermal emission results in a single hole trap with energy Ev + 0.87 eV responsible for complex electric field behavior. Moreover, we simulated an influence of a deep level concentration Nt on the local electric field oscillations: with a higher Nt the undershoots turn to the oscillations, while with a lower Nt, the undershoots turn to the monotonous temporal evolution of the electric field.
Digital power and performance analysis of inkjet printed ring oscillators based on electrolyte-gated oxide electronics
Authors: Cadilha Marques Gabriel , Garlapati Suresh Kumar , Dehm Simone , Dasgupta Subho , Hahn Horst , Tahoori Mehdi , Aghassi-Hagmann Jasmin
Published: September 2017

Printed electronic components offer certain technological advantages over their silicon based counterparts, like mechanical flexibility, low process temperatures, maskless and additive manufacturing possibilities. However, to be compatible to the fields of smart sensors, Internet of Things, and wearables, it is essential that devices operate at small supply voltages. In printed electronics, mostly silicon dioxide or organic dielectrics with low dielectric constants have been used as gate isolators, which in turn have resulted in high power transistors operable only at tens of volts. Here, we present inkjet printed circuits which are able to operate at supply voltages as low as ≤2 V. Our transistor technology is based on lithographically patterned drive electrodes, the dimensions of which are carefully kept well within the printing resolutions; the oxide semiconductor, the electrolytic insulator and the top-gate electrodes have been inkjet printed. Our inverters show a gain of ∼4 and 2.3 ms propagation delay time at 1 V supply voltage. Subsequently built 3-stage ring oscillators start to oscillate at a supply voltage of only 0.6 V with a frequency of ∼255 Hz and can reach frequencies up to ∼350 Hz at 2 V supply voltage. Furthermore, we have introduced a systematic methodology for characterizing ring oscillators in the printed electronics domain, which has been largely missing. Benefiting from this procedure, we are now able to predict the switching capacitance and driver capability at each stage, as well as the power consumption of our inkjet printed ring oscillators. These achievements will be essential for analyzing the performance and power characteristics of future inkjet printed digital circuits.
Dissipative particle dynamics: Systematic parametrization using water-octanol partition coefficients
Authors: Anderson Richard L. , Bray David J. , Ferrante Andrea S. , Noro Massimo G. , Stott Ian P. , Warren Patrick B.
Published: September 2017

We present a systematic, top-down, thermodynamic parametrization scheme for dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) using water-octanol partition coefficients, supplemented by water-octanol phase equilibria and pure liquid phase density data. We demonstrate the feasibility of computing the required partition coefficients in DPD using brute-force simulation, within an adaptive semi-automatic staged optimization scheme. We test the methodology by fitting to experimental partition coefficient data for twenty one small molecules in five classes comprising alcohols and poly-alcohols, amines, ethers and simple aromatics, and alkanes (i.e., hexane). Finally, we illustrate the transferability of a subset of the determined parameters by calculating the critical micelle concentrations and mean aggregation numbers of selected alkyl ethoxylate surfactants, in good agreement with reported experimental values.
CO2 adsorption on the copper surfaces: van der Waals density functional and TPD studies
Authors: Muttaqien Fahdzi , Hamamoto Yuji , Hamada Ikutaro , Inagaki Kouji , Shiozawa Yuichiro , Mukai Kozo , Koitaya Takanori , Yoshimoto Shinya , Yoshinobu Jun , Morikawa Yoshitada
Published: September 2017

We investigated the adsorption of CO2 on the flat, stepped, and kinked copper surfaces from density functional theory calculations as well as the temperature programmed desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Several exchange-correlation functionals have been considered to characterize CO2 adsorption on the copper surfaces. We used the van der Waals density functionals (vdW-DFs), i.e., the original vdW-DF (vdW-DF1), optB86b-vdW, and rev-vdW-DF2, as well as the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) with dispersion correction (PBE-D2). We have found that vdW-DF1 and rev-vdW-DF2 functionals slightly underestimate the adsorption energy, while PBE-D2 and optB86b-vdW functionals give better agreement with the experimental estimation for CO2 on Cu(111). The calculated CO2 adsorption energies on the flat, stepped, and kinked Cu surfaces are 20–27 kJ/mol, which are compatible with the general notion of physisorbed species on solid surfaces. Our results provide a useful insight into appropriate vdW functionals for further investigation of related CO2 activation on Cu surfaces such as methanol synthesis and higher alcohol production.
Communication: Molecular near-infrared transitions determined with sub-kHz accuracy
Authors: Wang Jin , Sun Yu R. , Tao Lei-Gang , Liu An-Wen , Hu Shui-Ming
Published: September 2017

Precise molecular transition frequencies are needed in various studies including the test of fundamental physics. Two well isolated ro-vibrational transitions of 12C16O at 1.57 μm, R(9) and R(10) in the second overtone band, were measured by a comb-locked cavity ring-down spectrometer. Despite the weakness of the lines (Einstein coefficient A≃0.008 s−1), Lamb-dip spectra were recorded with a signal-to-noise ratio over 1000, and the line positions were determined to be 191 360 212 761.1 and 191 440 612 662.2 kHz, respectively, with an uncertainty of 0.5 kHz (δν/ν=2.6×10−12). The present work demonstrates the possibility to explore extensive molecular lines in the near-infrared with sub-kHz accuracy.
Colloidal motion under the action of a thermophoretic force
Authors: Burelbach Jerome , Zupkauskas Mykolas , Lamboll Robin , Lan Yang , Eiser Erika
Published: September 2017

We present thermophoretic measurements in aqueous suspensions of three different polystyrene (PS) particles of varying negative charge, size, and surface coating. Our measurement technique is based on the observation of the colloidal steady-state distribution using conventional bright-field microscopy, which avoids undesirable effects such as laser-induced convection or local heating. We find that the colloids with the weakest zeta potential exhibit the strongest thermophoretic effect, suggesting that the Soret coefficient has a more intricate dependence on surface functionality than predicted by existing theoretical approaches. We also study the relaxation of the colloids to steady-state and propose a model to quantify the relaxation speed, based on the time evolution of the colloidal center of mass. Our observations are well described by this model and show that the relaxation speed tends to increase with the magnitude of the thermophoretic force.
A multi-state coarse grained modeling approach for an intrinsically disordered peptide
Authors: Ramezanghorbani Farhad , Dalgicdir Cahit , Sayar Mehmet
Published: September 2017

Many proteins display a marginally stable tertiary structure, which can be altered via external stimuli. Since a majority of coarse grained (CG) models are aimed at structure prediction, their success for an intrinsically disordered peptide’s conformational space with marginal stability and sensitivity to external stimuli cannot be taken for granted. In this study, by using the LKα14 peptide as a test system, we demonstrate a bottom-up approach for constructing a multi-state CG model, which can capture the conformational behavior of this peptide in three distinct environments with a unique set of interaction parameters. LKα14 is disordered in dilute solutions; however, it strictly adopts the α-helix conformation upon aggregation or when in contact with a hydrophobic/hydrophilic interface. Our bottom-up approach combines a generic base model, that is unbiased for any particular secondary structure, with nonbonded interactions which represent hydrogen bonds, electrostatics, and hydrophobic forces. We demonstrate that by using carefully designed all atom potential of mean force calculations from all three states of interest, one can get a balanced representation of the nonbonded interactions. Our CG model behaves intrinsically disordered in bulk water, folds into an α-helix in the presence of an interface or a neighboring peptide, and is stable as a tetrameric unit, successfully reproducing the all atom molecular dynamics simulations and experimental results.
Growth responses of diploid and tetraploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) to soil-moisture deficit, defoliation and a root-feeding invertebrate
Authors: Tozer K. N. , Carswell K. , Griffiths W. M. , Crush J. R. , Cameron C. A. , Chapman D. F. , Popay A. , King W.
Published: September 2017

Growth responses of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) diploid cv. Alto and a tetraploid breeding line of Alto infected with wild-type fungal endophyte to three types of stress were studied in a semi-controlled environment. The stresses imposed were: soil-moisture deficit (wilting point vs field capacity), severe defoliation (2.5 vs 6 cm cutting height), and root-feeding invertebrate infestation (nil vs 600 grass grubs (Costelytra zealandica) m–2). Stress treatments were applied simultaneously in a fully factorial design for 8 weeks followed by a 4-week recovery period. Total plant biomass was reduced to a similar extent for both ploidies by soil-moisture deficit (43% reduction), severe defoliation (31% reduction) and root-feeding invertebrates (13% reduction) at the end of the treatment period. At the end of the recovery period, feeding by grass grubs reduced root biomass by 34% and total plant biomass by 25% in the tetraploid cultivar, but there was no effect in the diploid cultivar. Although compensatory growth occurred during the recovery period, one or more aspects of plant growth (e.g. tillering, biomass) remained lower in previously stressed plants at the end of the recovery period. The lower tiller density and total biomass of the tetraploid, in combination with greater allocation of resources to shoot growth and greater susceptibility to root-feeding invertebrates, may compromise its persistence in the field.
Eighty years of food-web response to interannual variation in discharge recorded in river diatom frustules from an ocean sediment core
Authors: Sculley John B. , Lowe Rex L. , Nittrouer Charles A. , Drexler Tina M. , Power Mary E.
Published: September 2017

Significance

Are plants limited by resources or by consumers? Feeding interactions are difficult to observe in nature, so their impacts are commonly underestimated. A record of freshwater diatom frustules in a sediment core collected off the mouth of the Eel River in northern California correlated positively with algal biomass during years when upstream river reaches were surveyed. Our short-term experiments have suggested that year-to-year variation in river algal biomass during the summer growth season was driven by whether or not armored grazers had been scoured away by winter floods. The marine core record also suggests that over 83 years, controls of summer algal production were mediated more by hydrologic impacts on grazers than by their influence on growth conditions for algae.
Lawful relation between perceptual bias and discriminability
Authors: Wei Xue-Xin , Stocker Alan A.
Published: September 2017

Significance

We present a law of human perception. The law expresses a mathematical relation between our ability to perceptually discriminate a stimulus from similar ones and our bias in the perceived stimulus value. We derived the relation based on theoretical assumptions about how the brain represents sensory information and how it interprets this information to create a percept. Our main assumption is that both encoding and decoding are optimized for the specific statistical structure of the sensory environment. We found large experimental support for the law in the literature, which includes biases and changes in discriminability induced by contextual modulation (e.g., adaptation). Our results imply that human perception generally relies on statistically optimized processes.
Glacier shrinkage driving global changes in downstream systems
Authors: Milner Alexander M. , Khamis Kieran , Battin Tom J. , Brittain John E. , Barrand Nicholas E. , Füreder Leopold , Cauvy-Fraunié Sophie , Gíslason Gísli Már , Jacobsen Dean , Hannah David M. , Hodson Andrew J. , Hood Eran , Lencioni Valeria , Ólafsson Jón S. , Robinson Christopher T. , Tranter Martyn , Brown Lee E.
Published: September 2017

Glaciers cover ∼10% of the Earth’s land surface, but they are shrinking rapidly across most parts of the world, leading to cascading impacts on downstream systems. Glaciers impart unique footprints on river flow at times when other water sources are low. Changes in river hydrology and morphology caused by climate-induced glacier loss are projected to be the greatest of any hydrological system, with major implications for riverine and near-shore marine environments. Here, we synthesize current evidence of how glacier shrinkage will alter hydrological regimes, sediment transport, and biogeochemical and contaminant fluxes from rivers to oceans. This will profoundly influence the natural environment, including many facets of biodiversity, and the ecosystem services that glacier-fed rivers provide to humans, particularly provision of water for agriculture, hydropower, and consumption. We conclude that human society must plan adaptation and mitigation measures for the full breadth of impacts in all affected regions caused by glacier shrinkage.
Osmotaxis in
Escherichia coli
through changes in motor speed
Authors: Rosko Jerko , Martinez Vincent A. , Poon Wilson C. K. , Pilizota Teuta
Published: September 2017

Significance

Bacterial taxis has been a subject of active investigation for over 100 years, serving as a model of both biological sensory transduction and self-propulsion. Consequently, chemotaxis of
Escherichia coli
is one of the best-understood biological networks. Nevertheless, the exact roles of taxis and motility in
E. coli
’s life cycle, particularly in host invasion, remain unknown, partly because of the complexity of its natural habitat. By looking at the response of both individual bacterial motors and a swimming population, we investigate
E. coli
’s response to changes in external osmolalities similar to those found in the human gastrointestinal tract. We find that, unlike chemotaxis, osmotic response changes the motor speed and discuss how the observation can lead to previously observed osmotaxis.
Self-report captures 27 distinct categories of emotion bridged by continuous gradients
Authors: Cowen Alan S. , Keltner Dacher
Published: September 2017

Significance

Claims about how reported emotional experiences are geometrically organized within a semantic space have shaped the study of emotion. Using statistical methods to analyze reports of emotional states elicited by 2,185 emotionally evocative short videos with richly varying situational content, we uncovered 27 varieties of reported emotional experience. Reported experience is better captured by categories such as “amusement” than by ratings of widely measured affective dimensions such as valence and arousal. Although categories are found to organize dimensional appraisals in a coherent and powerful fashion, many categories are linked by smooth gradients, contrary to discrete theories. Our results comprise an approximation of a geometric structure of reported emotional experience.
Global transcriptional regulatory network for
Escherichia coli
robustly connects gene expression to transcription factor activities
Authors: Fang Xin , Sastry Anand , Mih Nathan , Kim Donghyuk , Tan Justin , Yurkovich James T. , Lloyd Colton J. , Gao Ye , Yang Laurence , Palsson Bernhard O.
Published: September 2017

Significance

While the transcriptional regulatory network (TRN) of
Escherichia coli
has expanded considerably in recent years through new chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) data, an open question remains: Does the global TRN, reconstructed by combining ChIP data for individual transcriptions factors, consistently explain observed differential gene expression? We have reconstructed a high-confidence TRN, determined its consistency with transcriptomics and predictive capabilities across multiple conditions, extracted 10 functional regulatory modules, and characterized this network at the sequence and structural levels. Our multiomics algorithmic pipeline is expected to facilitate rigorous validation and prioritization of experiments to elucidate TRNs in other bacteria.
Prenatal neurogenesis induction therapy normalizes brain structure and function in Down syndrome mice
Authors: Nakano-Kobayashi Akiko , Awaya Tomonari , Kii Isao , Sumida Yuto , Okuno Yukiko , Yoshida Suguru , Sumida Tomoe , Inoue Haruhisa , Hosoya Takamitsu , Hagiwara Masatoshi
Published: September 2017

Significance

Since Down syndrome (DS) is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21, prenatal diagnosis of DS is now possible. Nonetheless, parents of a fetus diagnosed with DS have only two choices: terminate the pregnancy or prepare to raise a child with a serious disability. We developed a new compound, ALGERNON (altered generation of neurons), to provide a third option to these parents. Treatment of pregnant dams with ALGERNON prevented morphological brain abnormalities including a thinned cortical plate. Remarkably, these offspring exhibited normal cognitive behavior compared with untreated offspring with DS. ALGERNON has therapeutic potential for treating not only DS, but also numerous neurodevelopmental disorders.
Synchronous volcanic eruptions and abrupt climate change ∼17.7 ka plausibly linked by stratospheric ozone depletion
Authors: McConnell Joseph R. , Burke Andrea , Dunbar Nelia W. , Köhler Peter , Thomas Jennie L. , Arienzo Monica M. , Chellman Nathan J. , Maselli Olivia J. , Sigl Michael , Adkins Jess F. , Baggenstos Daniel , Burkhart John F. , Brook Edward J. , Buizert Christo , Cole-Dai Jihong , Fudge T. J. , Knorr Gregor , Graf Hans-F. , Grieman Mackenzie M. , Iverson Nels , McGwire Kenneth C. , Mulvaney Robert , Paris Guillaume , Rhodes Rachael H. , Saltzman Eric S. , Severinghaus Jeffrey P. , Steffensen Jørgen Peder , Taylor Kendrick C. , Winckler Gisela
Published: September 2017

Significance

Cold and dry glacial-state climate conditions persisted in the Southern Hemisphere until approximately 17.7 ka, when paleoclimate records show a largely unexplained sharp, nearly synchronous acceleration in deglaciation. Detailed measurements in Antarctic ice cores document exactly at that time a unique, ∼192-y series of massive halogen-rich volcanic eruptions geochemically attributed to Mount Takahe in West Antarctica. Rather than a coincidence, we postulate that halogen-catalyzed stratospheric ozone depletion over Antarctica triggered large-scale atmospheric circulation and hydroclimate changes similar to the modern Antarctic ozone hole, explaining the synchronicity and abruptness of accelerated Southern Hemisphere deglaciation.