bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Foreign Policy of State Terrorism: West Germany, the Military Juntas in Chile and Argentina and the Latin American Refugee Crisis of the 1970s
Authors: BOTTA FELIX A. JIMÉNEZ
Published: February 2018

This article analyses West German foreign policy towards state terrorism in Chile and Argentina and towards political refugees fleeing these regimes. Pressured by grassroots activists, Willy Brandt's government took a hard stance against the Chilean military junta and established an asylum programme for refugees from Chile. Under Helmut Schmidt, however, the official attitude towards state terrorism changed. West Germany welcomed the military coup in Buenos Aires, accepted the Argentinean junta's position that repressive measures were necessary to fight ‘subversion’, flatly refused to accept any Argentinean political prisoners and approved billions of Deutschmarks worth of weapons sales to the junta. This article argues that Bonn's ambivalence towards state terrorism and uneven interest in human rights was due to the different attitudes of both Social Democratic Chancellors towards economic strategising, grassroots activism and, most importantly, the threat of left-wing terrorism.
Atrial septal defect closure with the new Cardia Ultrasept II™ device with interposed Goretex patch: Mexican experience – has the perforation of Ivalon’s membrane been solved?
Authors: Mijangos-Vázquez Roberto , García-Montes Antonio J. , Soto-López Elena M. , Guarner-Lans Verónica , Zabal Carlos
Published: February 2018

Objectives

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of using the new Cardia Ultrasept II™ device with interposed Goretex patch referring to the perforation of polyvinyl alcohol membrane.

Background

Great advances have been made in the development of devices for closure of atrial septal defect. The Cardia Ultrasept II™ with interposed Goretex patch is the modified last generation of Cardia devices, having the advantage of a super-low profile within the atria and an integral locking delivery-retrieval mechanism that ensures safe deployment. In addition, with the interposition of the Goretex, it has been possible to abolish perforation of Ivalon’s membrane as a complication.

Methods and results

Patients with ostium secundum atrial septal defect with surrounding rims with a minimum length of 5 mm and who underwent atrial septal defect closure with the new Ultrasept II™ with Goretex patch were included from two paediatric cardiac centres. Primary end point was to determine perforation of the Goretex membrane at follow-up; secondary end point included right ventricular diastolic diameter. In total, 30 patients underwent atrial septal defect closure at a median age of 6 (1–29) years. At follow-up for 6 (range, 1–15) months, freedom from perforations was 100%. A continuous decrease in right ventricular diastolic diameter was found with an initial median of 30 (25–49) mm and after catheterisation of 27.5 (18–33) mm, p=0.01, and Z-score of 2.6 (1.7–3.6) versus 1.9 (1–2.9) after procedure, p=0.01.

Conclusions

The new modified generation of the Ultrasept II™ device with interposed Goretex patch is a good alternative to achieve atrial septal defect closure safely and feasibly with no membrane perforation at follow-up.
Quantification of Olivine Using Fe Lα in Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA)
Authors: Buse Ben , Kearns Stuart
Published: February 2018

Quantification of first series transition metal Lα X-rays is hampered by absorption and in some cases transition probabilities (fluorescence yields) varying with chemical bonding. Compound mass absorption coefficients for Fe Lα were measured in the olivine solid solution series [Forsterite (Mg2SiO4) to Fayalite (Fe2SiO4)] and the mass absorption coefficients for Fe Lα absorbed by Fe were calculated. The mass absorption coefficients vary systematically between Fo83 and Fo0. Using the measured mass absorption coefficients for both standard and unknown and by correcting for a systematic discrepancy, consistent with varying partial fluorescence yields, a good agreement between calculated k-ratios and measured k-ratios is achieved. The systematic variations allow quantification of unknown k-ratios. The described method of quantification requires modification of matrix correction routines to allow standards and unknowns to have different mass absorption coefficients, and to incorporate solid solution mass absorption coefficients and partial fluorescence yield corrections derived from regression of experimental data.
Polarization Microscopy and Infrared Microspectroscopy of Integument Coverings of Diapausing Larvae in Two Distantly Related Nonsocial Bees
Authors: Mello Maria Luiza S. , Vidal Benedicto de Campos , Rozen Jerome G.
Published: February 2018

The larvae of the two distantly related nonsocial bees Ericrocis lata (Apidae) and Hesperapis (Carinapis) rhodocerata (Melittidae), which develop mostly under arid desert areas of North America, and that differ in that they either spin (E. lata) or do not spin (H. rhodocerata) protective cocoons before entering diapause, produce transparent films that cover the larval integument. To understand the nature of these films, their responses to topochemical tests and their characteristics when examined with fluorescence and high-performance polarization microscopy and microspectroscopy were studied. A positive staining by Sudan black B, birefringence of negative sign, and a Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectrum typical of lipids were detected for the integument covering of both species. The FT-IR signature, particularly, suggests a wax chemical composition for these lipid coverings, resembling the waxes that are used as construction materials in the honey cells produced by social bees. Considering the arid environmental conditions under which these larvae develop, we hypothesize that their covering films may have evolved as protection against water depletion. This hypothesis seems especially appropriate for H. rhodocerata larvae, which are capable of undergoing a long diapause period in the absence of a protective cocoon.
Superficial and Inner Examination of a Microwave-Irradiated Dental Acrylic Resin and Its Metal–Polymer Interface
Authors: Popescu Marian C. , Bita Bogdan I. , Tucureanu Vasilica , Vasilache Dan , Banu Melania A. , Avram Andrei M. , Giurescu-Dumitrescu Raluca A.
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study is to conduct an extended surface and cross-section characterization of a denture base acrylic resin subjected to 500, 650, and 750 W microwave irradiation for 2, 3, and 5 min to assess its morphological modifications. A commercial heat-cured powder was polymerized according to the manufacturer’s specifications and distributed into 20 circular samples. A stainless-steel wire was partially embedded in half of the discs, in order to investigate the metal–polymer interface. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging, white light interferometry, roughness measurements and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry were employed for morphological and structural evaluation of the irradiated polymer. Superficial adaptation was discovered after 5 min exposure at 500 W, 650 W, and 750 W, revealing significant roughness correction for 750 W. SEM characterization revealed the inner alteration of the resin for the 750 W protocol and a metal–polymer gap developed regardless of the irradiation conditions. The considerable temperature fluctuations that the samples were subject to during the experiments did not essentially change the poly(methyl-methacrylate) bond structure.
Does extraterrestrial life have intrinsic value? An exploration in responsibility ethics
Authors: Peters Ted
Published: February 2018

If space explorers discover a biosphere supporting life on an off-Earth body, should they treat that life as possessing intrinsic value? This is an ethical quandary leading to a further question: how do we ground a universal moral norm to which the astroethicist can appeal? This article closely analyses various forms of responsibility ethics and finds them weak because they commit the naturalistic fallacy – that is, they ask nature to definethe good. The good, however, is self-defining and not derivable from nature. Even so, a revised responsibility ethic could ground its universal norms on the fact that life and only life can experience and appreciate the good. Conclusion: living creatures possess intrinsic value both on Earth and elsewhere in the Universe.
Hybrid treatment of multilevel revascularization in patients with peripheral arterial disease – a multi-centre study in Korea
Authors: Lee Soon Cheon , Joh Jin Hyun , Chang Jeong-Hwan , Kim Hyung-Kee , Kim Jang Yong , Park KiHyuk , Hong Ki Chun , Byun Seung Jae , Lee Tae Seung , Jung Hyuk Jae , Lee Sang Su
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Background: Endovascular treatment is an alternative first-line management for peripheral artery disease (PAD). Hybrid treatment (HT) is defined as a combined treatment for patients with PAD using endovascular and open surgery, simultaneously performed in an operating room. The results of HT are reportedly good for multilevel revascularization (MR) in patients with chronic limb ischaemia, and even in older high-risk patients. The goal of this study was to examine the clinical and haemodynamic outcomes of HT in patients who need MR. Patients and methods: Nine university hospitals in Korea participated in this multicentre study. A total of 134 patients with multilevel PAD underwent HT and MR. Patients were enrolled from July 2014 to June 2015 and were followed for 18 months. Results: The mean age of the patients was 68.8 ± 9.93 years and 88.1 % were men. Patients with Rutherford category 2 to 3 and 4 to 6 comprised 59.0 % and 42.0 % of the group, respectively. The technical success rate was 100 %. The primary patency rates at 12 and 18 months were 77.6 % and 63.9 %, respectively. The primary-assisted patency rates at 12 and 18 months were both 90.0 %. The pre-operative mean ankle brachial index (0.43 ± 0.23) increased to 0.87 ± 0.23 at six months post-operatively (t-test, p < 0.05). The amputation free survival rate was 97.1 %. Conclusions: Although outcomes of multilevel PAD are reportedly poor when endovascular treatment alone is used, we have shown that HT is a feasible alternative modality for patients with multilevel PAD, with satisfactory amputation-free survival and freedom from re-intervention rates.
Climate Models Are Uncertain, but We Can Do Something About It
Authors: Carslaw Kenneth , Lee Lindsay , Regayre Leighton , Johnson Jill
Published: February 2018

Model simulations of many climate phenomena remain highly uncertain despite scientific advances and huge amounts of data. Scientists must do more to tackle model uncertainty head-on.
Mapping local variation in educational attainment across Africa
Authors: Graetz Nicholas , Friedman Joseph , Osgood-Zimmerman Aaron , Burstein Roy , Biehl Molly H. , Shields Chloe , Mosser Jonathan F. , Casey Daniel C. , Deshpande Aniruddha , Earl Lucas , Reiner Robert C. , Ray Sarah E. , Fullman Nancy , Levine Aubrey J. , Stubbs Rebecca W. , Mayala Benjamin K. , Longbottom Joshua , Browne Annie J. , Bhatt Samir , Weiss Daniel J. , Gething Peter W. , Mokdad Ali H. , Lim Stephen S. , Murray Christopher J. L. , Gakidou Emmanuela , Hay Simon I.
Published: February 2018

Educational attainment for women of reproductive age is linked to reduced child and maternal mortality, lower fertility and improved reproductive health. Comparable analyses of attainment exist only at the national level, potentially obscuring patterns in subnational inequality. Evidence suggests that wide disparities between urban and rural populations exist, raising questions about where the majority of progress towards the education targets of the Sustainable Development Goals is occurring in African countries. Here we explore within-country inequalities by predicting years of schooling across five by five kilometre grids, generating estimates of average educational attainment by age and sex at subnational levels. Despite marked progress in attainment from 2000 to 2015 across Africa, substantial differences persist between locations and sexes. These differences have widened in many countries, particularly across the Sahel. These high-resolution, comparable estimates improve the ability of decision-makers to plan the precisely targeted interventions that will be necessary to deliver progress during the era of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Probing the localization of magnetic dichroism by atomic-size astigmatic and vortex electron beams
Authors: Negi Devendra Singh , Idrobo Juan Carlos , Rusz Ján
Published: February 2018

We report localization of a magnetic dichroic signal on atomic columns in electron magnetic circular dichroism (EMCD), probed by beam distorted by four-fold astigmatism and electron vortex beam. With astigmatic probe, magnetic signal to noise ratio can be enhanced by blocking the intensity from the central part of probe. However, the simulations show that for atomic resolution magnetic measurements, vortex beam is a more effective probe, with much higher magnetic signal to noise ratio. For all considered beam shapes, the optimal SNR constrains the signal detection at low collection angles of approximately 6–8 mrad. Irrespective of the material thickness, the magnetic signal remains strongly localized within the probed atomic column with vortex beam, whereas for astigmatic probes, the magnetic signal originates mostly from the nearest neighbor atomic columns. Due to excellent signal localization at probing individual atomic columns, vortex beams are predicted to be a strong candidate for studying the crystal site specific magnetic properties, magnetic properties at interfaces, or magnetism arising from individual atomic impurities.
A new electrospray method for targeted gene delivery
Authors: Boehringer Stephan , Ruzgys Paulius , Tamò Luca , Šatkauskas Saulius , Geiser Thomas , Gazdhar Amiq , Hradetzky David
Published: February 2018

A challenge for gene therapy is absence of safe and efficient local delivery of therapeutic genetic material. An efficient and reproducible physical method of electrospray for localized and targeted gene delivery is presented. Electrospray works on the principle of coulombs repulsion, under influence of electric field the liquid carrying genetic material is dispersed into micro droplets and is accelerated towards the targeted tissue, acting as a counter electrode. The accelerated droplets penetrate the targeted cells thus facilitating the transfer of genetic material into the cell. The work described here presents the principle of electrospray for gene delivery, the basic instrument design, and the various optimized parameters to enhance gene transfer in vitro. We estimate a transfection efficiency of up to 60% was achieved. We describe an efficient gene transfer method and a potential electrospray-mediated gene transfer mechanism.
Correlation and shear bands in a plastically deformed granular medium
Authors: Karimi Kamran , Barrat Jean-Louis
Published: February 2018

Recent experiments (Le Bouil et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 2014, 112, 246001) have analyzed the statistics of local deformation in a granular solid undergoing plastic deformation. Experiments report strongly anisotropic correlation between events, with a characteristic angle that was interpreted using elasticity theory and the concept of Eshelby transformations with dilation; interestingly, the shear bands that characterize macroscopic failure occur at an angle that is different from the one observed in microscopic correlations. Here, we interpret this behavior using a mesoscale elastoplastic model of solid flow that incorporates a local Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. This differs from the interpretation of Le Bouil et al., which is based on purely elastic considerations ignoring the potential role of local friction on deformation patterns. We show that the angle observed in the microscopic correlations can be understood by combining the elastic interactions associated with Eshelby transformation with the local failure criterion. At large strains, we also induce permanent shear bands at an angle that is different from the one observed in the correlation pattern. We interpret this angle as the one that leads to the maximal instability of slip lines.
LPS-primed CD11b+ leukocytes serve as an effective carrier of Shiga toxin 2 to cause hemolytic uremic syndrome in mice
Authors: Niu Shuo , Paluszynski John , Bian Zhen , Shi Lei , Kidder Koby , Liu Yuan
Published: February 2018

Shiga toxin (Stx)-induced hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a life-threatening complication associated with Stx-producing Escherichia coli infection. One critical barrier of understanding HUS is how Stx transports from infected intestine to kidney to cause HUS. Passive dissemination seems unlikely, while circulating blood cells have been debated to serve as the toxin carrier. Employing a murine model of Stx2-induced HUS with LPS priming (LPS-Stx2), we investigate how Stx causes HUS and identify possible toxin carrier. We show that peripheral white blood cells (WBC), but not other blood cells or cell-free plasma, carry Stx2 in LPS-Stx2-treated mice. The capability of WBC binding to Stx2 is confirmed in brief ex vivo Stx2 incubation, and adoptively transferring these Stx2-bound WBC into mice induces HUS. Cell separation further identifies a subpopulation in the CD11b+ myeloid leukocytes not the CD11b− lymphocytes group act as the toxin carrier, which captures Stx2 upon exposure and delivers the toxin in vivo. Interestingly, LPS-induced inflammation significantly augments these leukocytes for binding to Stx2 and enhances HUS toxicity. Our results demonstrate that a specific fraction of circulating leukocytes carry Stx2 and cause HUS in vivo, and that LPS priming enhances the carrier capacity and aggravates organ damage.
Periostin blockade overcomes chemoresistance via restricting the expansion of mesenchymal tumor subpopulations in breast cancer
Authors: Nakazawa Youya , Taniyama Yoshiaki , Sanada Fumihiro , Morishita Ryuichi , Nakamori Shoji , Morimoto Koji , Yeung Kay T. , Yang Jing
Published: February 2018

Recent studies suggest a functional involvement of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in tumor chemoresistance. Specifically, EMT is associated with chemoresistance and poor prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer. However, no effective therapy targeting EMT has been developed. Here, we report that periostin, an extracellular matrix protein, was induced upon chemotherapy and tightly correlated with the EMT gene signature and poor prognosis in breast cancer. In triple-negative breast cancer xenografts, chemotherapy upregulated periostin expression in tumor cells, triggered expansion of mesenchymal tumor cells and promoted invasion in residual tumors. Knockdown of periostin inhibited outgrowth and invasion of mesenchymal tumor cells upon chemotherapy. Furthermore, chemotherapy upregulated cancer-specific variants of periostin and application of a blocking antibody specifically targeting those variants overcame chemoresistance and halted disease progression without toxicity. Together, these data indicate that periostin plays a key role in EMT-dependent chemoresistance and is a promising target to overcome chemoresistance in triple-negative breast cancer.
Impacts of different methods of conception on the perinatal outcome of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in twin pregnancies
Authors: Feng Chun , Li Wen-Juan , He Rong-Huan , Sun Xi-Wen , Wang Guirong , Wang Li-Quan
Published: February 2018

Twin pregnancies have a higher prevalence of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) than single pregnancies. It is unknown whether in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) influences the fetal outcomes in twin pregnancies complicated by ICP. This study aimed to explore the impact of IVF-ET on the perinatal outcomes of ICP in twin pregnancy. Clinical data from 142 twin pregnant women complicated with ICP were retrospectively analyzed, including 51 patients who conceived through IVF-ET (IVF group) and 91 patients with spontaneous conception (SC group). Several biochemical indicators and perinatal outcomes were analyzed. Compared to the SC group, the IVF group had a higher incidence of early-onset ICP (P = 0.015) and more frequent clinical symptoms (P = 0.020), including skin pruritus, skin scratch, and jaundice. Furthermore, the IVF group had higher rates of neonatal asphyxia (IVF vs. SC, 9.80% vs. 1.10%, P = 0.023) and premature delivery (IVF vs. SC, 96.08% vs. 83.52%, P = 0.027) compared to the SC group. The IVF-conceived twin pregnancy group had a higher risk of early-onset ICP and suffered from clinical symptoms and poor perinatal outcomes.
Effect of long-term fertilisation on the weed community of a winter wheat field
Authors: Jiang Min , Liu Tao , Huang Niansheng , Shen Xinping , Shen Mingxing , Dai Qigen
Published: February 2018

Effects of fertilisation and other management techniques on a weed community were evaluated during wheat growth in a rice-wheat cropping system. Fertiliser treatments were C0 (C means chemical, C0 means zero chemical fertiliser.), CN (N fertiliser), CNK (N plus K fertiliser), CNPK (N plus P and K fertiliser), CNP (N plus P fertiliser), and CPK (P plus K fertiliser). Weed density, biomass, and bio-diversity were determined. Redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to investigate the relationship between fertiliser management, weed species, and weed density. The overall weed densities in the C0 and CPK treatments were the greatest during wheat seeding and ripening periods and were significantly greater than densities in the other treatments. N, P and organic matter in soil were highly correlated with weed species and density, whereas K in soil was not significantly correlated with weed species and weed density. N fertiliser significantly reduced weed density. Balanced fertilisation maintained weed species richness and resulting in a high yield of wheat. CNPK application reduced weed damage and improved the productivity and stability of the farmland ecosystem.
Allogeneic dendritic cells stimulated with antibodies against HLA class II polarize naive T cells in a follicular helper phenotype
Authors: Désy Olivier , Béland Stéphanie , Vallin Patrice , Riopel Julie , Latulippe Eva , Wagner Eric , De Serres Sacha A.
Published: February 2018

Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) are crucial for the production of high-affinity antibodies, such as alloantibodies, by providing the signals for B-cell proliferation and differentiation. Here, we demonstrate that human allogeneic dendritic cells (DC) stimulated with antibodies against HLA class II antigens preferentially differentiate human naive CD4+T cells into Tfh cells. Following coculture with DCs treated with these antibodies, CD4+T cells expressed CXCR5, ICOS, IL-21, Bcl-6 and phosphorylated STAT3. Blockade of IL-21 abrogated Bcl-6, while addition of the IL-12p40 subunit to the coculture increased CXCR5, Bcl-6, phosphorylated STAT3 and ICOS, indicating that they were both involved in Tfh polarization. We further phenotyped the peripheral T cells in a cohort of 55 kidney transplant recipients. Patients with anti-HLA-II donor-specific antibodies (DSA) presented higher blood counts of circulating Tfh cells than those with anti-HLA-I DSAs. Moreover, there was a predominance of lymphoid aggregates containing Tfh cells in biopsies from patients with antibody-mediated rejection and anti-HLA-II DSAs. Collectively, these data suggest that alloantibodies against HLA class II specifically promote the differentiation of naive T cells to Tfh cells following contact with DCs, a process that might appearin situin human allografts and constitutes a therapeutic target.
Thermochromic microcapsules with highly transparent shells obtained through in-situ polymerization of urea formaldehyde around thermochromic cores for smart wood coatings
Authors: Zhu Xiaodong , Liu Yu , Li Zhao , Wang Weicong
Published: February 2018

In this paper, thermochromic microcapsules were synthesized in situ polymerization with urea formaldehyde as shell material and thermochromic compounds as core material. The effects of emulsifying agent and conditions on surface morphology and particle size of microcapsules were studied. It was found that the size and surface morphology of microcapsules were strongly depending on stirring rate and the ratio of core to shell. The stable and small size spherical microcapsules with excellent transparency can be obtained at an emulsifying agent to core to shell ratio as 1:5:7.5 under mechanical stirring at 12 krpm for 15 min. Finally, the thermochromic property was discussed by loading microcapsules in wood and wood coatings. Results indicate that microcapsules can realize the thermochromic property while incorporated with wood and coatings, and could have high potential in smart material fabrication.
Lack of metabolism in (R)-ketamine’s antidepressant actions in a chronic social defeat stress model
Authors: Zhang Kai , Fujita Yuko , Hashimoto Kenji
Published: February 2018

Since the metabolism of (R,S)-ketamine to (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) is reported to be essential for ketamine’s antidepressant effects, there is an increasing debate about antidepressant effects of (2R,6R)-HNK. Using pharmacokinetic and behavioral techniques, we investigated whether intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of (R)-ketamine or (2R,6R)-HNK show antidepressant effects in a chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model of depression. Low levels of (2R,6R)-HNK in the brain after i.c.v. infusion of (R)-ketamine were detected, although brain levels of (2R,6R)-HNK were markedly lower than those after i.c.v. infusion of (2R,6R)-HNK. Furthermore, high levels of (2R,6R)-HNK in the blood and liver after i.c.v. infusion of (R)-ketamine or (2R,6R)-HNK were detected. A single i.c.v. infusion of (R)-ketamine showed rapid and long-lasting (7 days) antidepressant effects in a CSDS model. In contrast, i.c.v. infusion of (2R,6R)-HNK did not show any antidepressant effect in the same model, although brain concentration of (2R,6R)-HNK was higher than after i.c.v. infusion of (R)-ketamine. This study suggest that (R)-ketamine in the periphery after washout from the brain is metabolized to (2R,6R)-HNK in the liver, and subsequently, (2R,6R)-HNK enters into brain tissues. Furthermore, it is unlikely that (2R,6R)-HNK is essential for the antidepressant actions of (R)-ketamine in a CSDS model.
Glycome analysis of extracellular vesicles derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells using lectin microarray
Authors: Saito Sayoko , Hiemori Keiko , Kiyoi Kayo , Tateno Hiroaki
Published: February 2018

Glycans are one of the major building blocks of extracellular vesicles (EVs). However, their roles and applications have not been completely explored. Here, we analyzed the glycome of EVs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) using high-density lectin microarray. The glycan profiles of hiPSC-derived EVs were different from those of non-hiPSC-derived EVs. Moreover, rBC2LCN that shows specific binding to hiPSCs, showed strong specificity for hiPSC-derived EVs but not non-hiPSCs-derived EVs. Further, other hiPSC-specific probes, such as anti-TRA-1-60, anti-SSEA4, and anti-R-10G, exhibited specific, but weaker binding to hiPSC-derived EVs than rBC2LCN. We then developed a sandwich assay using rBC2LCN and a phosphatidylserine receptor, Tim4, to specifically detect hiPSC-derived EVs. The Tim4–rBC2LCN sandwich assay allowed for specific detection of hiPSC-derived EVs but not non-hiPSC-derived EVs, indicating that rBC2LCN could also be used for the specific detection of hiPSC-derived EVs. Together, our findings demonstrate that the characteristic glycan signature of hiPSCs are retained by EVs derived from them. The EV glycome could be novel targets for the identification and characterization of stem cells for use in regenerative medicine.
Exercise Ameliorates Motor Deficits and Improves Dopaminergic Functions in the Rat Hemi-Parkinson’s Model
Authors: Chen Yuan-Hao , Kuo Tung-Tai , Kao Jen-Hsin , Huang Eagle Yi-Kung , Hsieh Tsung-Hsun , Chou Yu-Ching , Hoffer Barry J.
Published: February 2018

To determine the influences of exercise on motor deficits and dopaminergic transmission in a hemiparkinson animal model, we measured the effects of exercise on the ambulatory system by estimating spatio-temporal parameters during walking, striatal dopamine (DA) release and reuptake and synaptic plasticity in the corticostriatal pathway after unilateral 6-OHDA lesions. 6-OHDA lesioned hemiparkinsonian rats were exercised on a fixed speed treadmill for 30 minutes per day. Controls received the same lesion but no exercise. Animals were subsequently analyzed for behavior including gait analysis, rotarod performance and apomorphine induced rotation. Subsequently, in vitro striatal dopamine release was analyzed by using FSCV and activity-dependent plasticity in the corticostriatal pathway was measured in each group. Our data indicated that exercise could improve motor walking speed and increase the apomorphine-induced rotation threshold. Exercise also ameliorated spatiotemporal impairments in gait in PD animals. Exercise increased the parameters of synaptic plasticity formation in the corticostriatal pathway of PD animals as well as the dynamics of dopamine transmission in PD animals. Fixed speed treadmill training 30 minutes per day could ameliorate spatial-temporal gait impairment, improve walking speed, dopamine transmission as well as corticostriatal synaptic plasticity in the unilateral 6-OHDA lesioned rat model.
Rosamine with pyronine-pyridinium skeleton: unique mitochondrial targetable structure for fluorescent probes
Authors: Yang Ling , Niu Jin-Yun , Sun Ru , Xu Yu-Jie , Ge Jian-Feng
Published: February 2018

Rosamine-based probes (1a–b) with pyronine-pyridinium skeleton served as mitochondrial targetable probes for detecting independent species (H2O2 and H2S).
Comment on “Revisiting the definition of local hardness and hardness kernel” by C. A. Polanco-Ramirez, M. Franco-Pérez, J. Carmona-Espíndola, J. L. Gázquez and P. W. Ayers, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017, 19, 12355
Authors: Guégan F. , Lamine W. , Chermette H. , Morell C.
Published: February 2018

In this comment we show that the derivation proposed Polanco-Ramirez et al. appears naturally in the Taylor expansion of the energy, showing that their whole construction is not artificially built.
Colloidal nanocrystals as LEGO® bricks for building electronic band structure models
Authors: Tadjine Athmane , Delerue Christophe
Published: February 2018

Semiconductor nanocrystals can be seen as LEGO® bricks for synthesizing new 2D materials and for engineering band structures.
Anisotropic lattice softening near the structural phase transition in the thermosalient crystal 1,2,4,5-tetrabromobenzene
Authors: Zakharov Boris A. , Michalchuk Adam A. L. , Morrison Carole A. , Boldyreva Elena V.
Published: February 2018

Mechanism of crystal jumping on heating was revealed by X-ray diffraction and computational techniques.
Scalable chemical-vapour-deposition growth of three-dimensional graphene materials towards energy-related applications
Authors: Chen Ke , Shi Liurong , Zhang Yanfeng , Liu Zhongfan
Published: February 2018

This review provides the recent progress, challenges and future prospects of developing synthetic methods for three-dimensional graphene architecturesviachemical vapour deposition for energy-related applications.
Mg1−xCoxLi2(3,5-pdcH)2(DMF)2 (x = 0, 0.285, 0.575, 1): a series of heterometallic coordination polymers doped with magnetic Co2+ ions
Authors: Song Ying , Tian Chong-Bin , Wu Zhao-Feng , Huang Xiao-Ying
Published: February 2018

Presented is a series of Mg1−xCoxLi-HCPs with the turn-on effect of anti-ferromagnetic properties upon the doping of high-spin Co2+ ions at Mg2+ sites.
Innerversusouter sphere metal-monoamide complexation: ramifications for tetravalent & hexavalent actinide selectivity
Authors: McCann Kevin , Sinkov Sergey I. , Lumetta Gregg J. , Shafer Jenifer C.
Published: February 2018

Extraction of tetravalent and hexavalent plutonium by straight and branched chained monoamides was studied using UV-vis spectroscopy. These results suggest straight monoamides recover outer-sphere species, while branched chain monoamides recover inner-sphere species.
Electrospun porous PLLA and poly(LLA-co-CL) fibers by phase separation
Authors: Yang Huan , Wang Lihua , Xiang Chunhui , Li Lili
Published: February 2018

Porous poly(LLA-co-CL) fibers were electrospun and the porosity of the fibers could be controlled by using good/poor binary solvents.
Modulation of intestine development by fecal microbiota transplantation in suckling pigs
Authors: Diao H. , Yan H. L. , Xiao Y. , Yu B. , Zheng P. , He J. , Yu J. , Mao X. B. , Chen D. W.
Published: February 2018

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of early fecal microbiota transplantation on gut development in sucking piglets.
Dual role of coal fly ash in copper ion adsorption followed by thermal stabilization in a spinel solid solution
Authors: Wu Pengfei , Tang Yuanyuan , Cai Zongwei
Published: February 2018

Coal fly ash is usually used as a cost-effective adsorbent for heavy metal removal, accumulating large amounts of spent coal fly ash that requires further disposal.
Fabrication of a microfluidic chip based on the pure polypropylene material
Authors: Liang Fupeng , Qiao Yi , Duan Mengqin , Ju An , Lu Na , Li Junji , Tu Jing , Lu Zuhong
Published: February 2018

A robust pure polypropylene material microfluidic chip for the fast PCR and POCT applications has been achieved via low-cost, high-speed, and easy-standardized manufacturing.
Ferromagnetism with strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy in A-site ordered perovskite YBaCo2O6 epitaxial thin films prepared via wet-chemical topotactic oxidation
Authors: Katayama Tsukasa , Chikamatsu Akira , Hirose Yasushi , Minohara Makoto , Kumigashira Hiroshi , Harayama Isao , Sekiba Daiichiro , Hasegawa Tetsuya
Published: February 2018

YBaCo2O6 epitaxial thin films with strong ferromagnetic anisotropy were obtained via low-temperature topotactic oxidation using a strong oxidizing agent NaClO.
Magnetic nanoparticles/PEDOT:PSS composite hole-injection layer for efficient organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Lian Hong , Tang Zhenyu , Guo Hongen , Zhong Zheng , Wu Jian , Dong Qingchen , Zhu Furong , Wei Bin , Wong Wai-Yeung
Published: February 2018

High performance Alq3-based organic light emitting diodes are achieved by using magnetic nanoparticles/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) as the composite hole-injection layer through the advantageous combination of light-scattering, localized surface plasmon resonance and magnetic effect.
Redox fusion of metal particles using deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Abbott Andrew P. , Cihangir Salih , Ryder Karl S.
Published: February 2018

Alternating anodic and cathodic current pulses have been applied to a metal powder on an electrode surface to fuse the particles together. It is shown that homogeneous films can be electroformed with different morphologies depending on the size of the powder and the experimental conditions.
An anionic single-walled metal–organic nanotube with an armchair (3,3) topology as an extremely smart adsorbent for the effective and selective adsorption of cationic carcinogenic dyes
Authors: Zhou Yue , Yao Shuo , Ma Yali , Li Guanghua , Huo Qisheng , Liu Yunling
Published: February 2018

A novel discrete single-walled MONT with a rare armchair (3,3) CNT topology and mesoporous channels is synthesized, which exhibits exclusive and remarkable ability to adsorb cationic carcinogens BR9 and BV14.
The near-UV absorber OSSO and its isomers
Authors: Wu Zhuang , Wan Huabin , Xu Jian , Lu Bo , Lu Yan , Eckhardt André K. , Schreiner Peter R. , Xie Changjian , Guo Hua , Zeng Xiaoqing
Published: February 2018

The enigmatic near-UV absorber, OSSO, in the yellowish atmosphere of Venus and three novel isomers have been spectroscopically characterized.
Enhanced hydrothermal crystallization and color tailorable photoluminescence of hexagonal structured YPO4:Sm/Tb nanorods
Authors: Wang Zhihao , Shi Xiaofei , Wang Xuejiao , Zhu Qi , Li Xiaodong , Kim Byung-Nam , Sun Xudong , Li Ji-Guang
Published: February 2018

Mal2− and superfluous PO43− jointly ensured the hydrothermal crystallization of hexagonal structured YPO4:Tb/Sm nanorods with color-tailorable photoluminescence and large aspect ratios of up to ∼32.
Photolysis of O2 dispersed in solid neon with far-ultraviolet radiation
Authors: Chou Sheng-Lung , Lo Jen-Iu , Peng Yu-Chain , Lu Hsiao-Chi , Cheng Bing-Ming , Ogilvie J. F.
Published: February 2018

Irradiation of O2 dispersed in solid Ne near 4 K at 173 or 143 nm produced many new spectral lines of O, O2 and O3 in absorption and emission spectra.
Concentration-dependent photophysical switching in mixed self-assembled monolayers of pentacene and perylenediimide on gold nanoclusters
Authors: Kato Daiki , Sakai Hayato , Araki Yasuyuki , Wada Takehiko , Tkachenko Nikolai V. , Hasobe Taku
Published: February 2018

The precise control and switching of photophysical processes such as singlet fission, electron transfer and excimer were performed using mixed SAMs of pentacene and perylenediimide units on Au nanoclusters.
Effects of hydration on the protonation state of a lysine analog crossing a phospholipid bilayer – insights from molecular dynamics and free-energy calculations
Authors: Bonhenry Daniel , Dehez François , Tarek Mounir
Published: February 2018

Protonation states of amino acids crossing lipid bilayers from multidimensional free energy surfaces.
On the contribution of f electrons to the quadratic hyperpolarizability: the case of lanthanide terpyridyl complexes
Authors: Ibersiene Fatima , Latouche Camille , Katan Claudine , Boucekkine Abdou
Published: February 2018

4f-Electrons have no direct effect on first-order hyperpolarizabilities of lanthanide complexes.
A long-lived cuprous bis-phenanthroline complex for the photodynamic therapy of cancer
Authors: Al Hageh Cynthia , Al Assaad Majd , El Masri Zeinab , Samaan Nawar , El-Sibai Mirvat , Khalil Christian , Khnayzer Rony S.
Published: February 2018

An earth-abundant cuprous bis-phenanthroline photosensitizer showed potential use in the photodynamic therapy of cancer.
Current progress in the controlled synthesis and biomedical applications of ultrasmall (<10 nm) NaREF4nanoparticles
Authors: Li Chunxia , Xu Lili , Liu Zihua , Li Zhengquan , Quan Zewei , Al Kheraif Abdulaziz A. , Lin Jun
Published: February 2018

This review primarily introduces new progress in preparation strategies of ultrasmall (<10 nm) NaREF4upconversion nanoparticles, and their use in imaging and drug delivery.
Crystal structure prediction of flexible pharmaceutical-like molecules: density functional tight-binding as an intermediate optimisation method and for free energy estimation
Authors: Iuzzolino Luca , McCabe Patrick , Price Sarah L. , Brandenburg Jan Gerit
Published: February 2018

Periodic DFTB3-D3 calculations allow the refinement of molecular conformations within crystal structures and estimates of phonons for flexible pharmaceutical molecules.
Bis(formylpyrrolyl) cobalt complexes as mediators in the reversible-deactivation radical polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate
Authors: Cruz Tiago F. C. , Machado Pedro M. M. , Gomes Clara S. B. , Ascenso José R. , Lemos M. Amélia N. D. A. , Bordado João C. , Gomes Pedro T.
Published: February 2018

Bis(formylpyrrolyl) cobalt complexes mediate the reversible-deactivation radical polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate.
A bond-order potential for the Al–Cu–H ternary system
Authors: Zhou X. W. , Ward D. K. , Foster M. E.
Published: February 2018

The new potential enables simulations of H2 interactions with Al alloy surfaces.
The synthesis of benzimidazoles via a recycled palladium catalysed hydrogen transfer under mild conditions
Authors: Guan Qianqian , Sun Qi , Wen Lixian , Zha Zhenggen , Yang Yu , Wang Zhiyong
Published: February 2018

An efficient synthesis of benzimidazoles was developed by virtue of a recycled palladium catalyzed hydrogen transfer.
Exploring the trans-membrane dynamic mechanisms of single polyamidoamine nano-drugs via a “force tracing” technique
Authors: Zhou Siyuan , Yang Boyu , Chen Yang , Zhang Qingrong , Cai Mingjun , Xu Haijiao , Yang Guocheng , Wang Hongda , Shan Yuping
Published: February 2018

Considerable success has been achieved in the drug delivery of nano-drugs for chemotherapy, but the main obstacles in understanding the drug delivery dynamic mechanisms for nano-drug applications stem from technical limitations.
N-Donor ligand activation of titanocene for the Biginelli reaction via the imine mechanism
Authors: Zheng Shaohua , Jian Yajun , Xu Shan , Wu Ya , Sun Huaming , Zhang Guofang , Zhang Weiqiang , Gao Ziwei
Published: February 2018

Stable titanocene dichloride (Cp2TiCl2) was activated by the N-donor ligand urea to form [(MeO)2Ti(NHCONH2)]+, which catalyzed the Biginelli reaction to produce 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-ones.
A novel rhodopsin phosphodiesterase from Salpingoeca rosetta shows light-enhanced substrate affinity
Authors: Tian Yuehui , Gao Shiqiang , Yang Shang , Nagel Georg
Published: February 2018

It is since many years textbook knowledge that the concentration of the second messenger cGMP is regulated in animal rod and cone cells by type II rhodopsins via a G-protein signaling cascade. Microbial rhodopsins with enzymatic activity for regulation of cGMP concentration were only recently discovered: in 2014 light-activated guanylyl-cyclase opsins in fungi and in 2017 a novel rhodopsin phosphodiesterase (RhoPDE) in the protist Salpingoeca rosetta (SrRhoPDE). The light regulation of SrRhoPDE, however, seemed very weak or absent. Here, we present strong evidence for light regulation by studying SrRhoPDE, expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, at different substrate concentrations. Hydrolysis of cGMP shows an ∼100-fold higher turnover than that of cAMP. Light causes a strong decrease in the Km value for cGMP from 80 to 13 µM but increases the maximum turnover only by ∼30%. The PDE activity for cAMP is similarly enhanced by light at low substrate concentrations. Illumination does not affect the cGMP degradation of Lys296 mutants that are not able to form a covalent bond of Schiff base type to the chromophore retinal. We demonstrate that SrRhoPDE shows cytosolic N- and C-termini, most likely via an eight-transmembrane helix structure. SrRhoPDE is a new optogenetic tool for light-regulated cGMP manipulation which might be further improved by genetic engineering.
Influence of Language Load on Speech Motor Skill in Children With Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Saletta Meredith , Goffman Lisa , Ward Caitlin , Oleson Jacob
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Children with specific language impairment (SLI) show particular deficits in the generation of sequenced action: the quintessential procedural task. Practiced imitation of a sequence may become rote and require reduced procedural memory. This study explored whether speech motor deficits in children with SLI occur generally or only in conditions of high linguistic load, whether speech motor deficits diminish with practice, and whether it is beneficial to incorporate conditions of high load to understand speech production.

Method

Children with SLI and typical development participated in a syntactic priming task during which they generated sentences (high linguistic load) and, then, practiced repeating a sentence (low load) across 3 sessions. We assessed phonetic accuracy, speech movement variability, and duration.

Results

Children with SLI produced more variable articulatory movements than peers with typical development in the high load condition. The groups converged in the low load condition. Children with SLI continued to show increased articulatory stability over 3 practice sessions. Both groups produced generated sentences with increased duration and variability compared with repeated sentences.

Conclusions

Linguistic demands influence speech motor production. Children with SLI show reduced speech motor performance in tasks that require language generation but not when task demands are reduced in rote practice.
What Does a Cue Do? Comparing Phonological and Semantic Cues for Picture Naming in Aphasia
Authors: Meteyard Lotte , Bose Arpita
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Impaired naming is one of the most common symptoms in aphasia, often treated with cued picture naming paradigms. It has been argued that semantic cues facilitate the reliable categorization of the picture, and phonological cues facilitate the retrieval of target phonology. To test these hypotheses, we compared the effectiveness of phonological and semantic cues in picture naming for a group of individuals with aphasia. To establish the locus of effective cueing, we also tested whether cue type interacted with lexical and image properties of the targets.

Method

Individuals with aphasia (
n
= 10) were tested with a within-subject design. They named a large set of items (
n
= 175) 4 times. Each presentation of the items was accompanied by a different cueing condition (phonological, semantic, nonassociated word and tone). Item level variables for the targets (i.e., phoneme length, frequency, imageability, name agreement, and visual complexity) were used to test the interaction of cue type and item variables. Naming accuracy data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed effects models.

Results

Phonological cues were more effective than semantic cues, improving accuracy across individuals. However, phonological cues did not interact with phonological or lexical aspects of the picture names (e.g., phoneme length, frequency). Instead, they interacted with properties of the picture itself (i.e., visual complexity), such that phonological cues improved naming accuracy for items with low visual complexity.

Conclusions

The findings challenge the theoretical assumptions that phonological cues map to phonological processes. Instead, phonological information benefits the earliest stages of picture recognition, aiding the initial categorization of the target. The data help to explain why patterns of cueing are not consistent in aphasia; that is, it is not the case that phonological impairments always benefit from phonological cues and semantic impairments form semantic cues. A substantial amount of the literature in naming therapy focuses on picture naming paradigms. Therefore, the results are also critically important for rehabilitation, allowing for therapy development to be more rooted in the true mechanisms through which cues are processed.
Quality factor improvement of MIS capacitor using side metal coating
Authors: Baek S.J. , Kim J.C. , Yook J.M.
Published: February 2018

A simple process to improve the quality factor of metal–insulator–silicon (MIS) capacitors is introduced. Typically, MIS capacitors show a low quality factor in the gigahertz range because the lower electrode is silicon, which has low conductivity. The electrical conductivity of the lower electrode of the MIS capacitor is improved by the application of side metal coating through a simple process. To make the side metal of the MIS capacitor, a 200 µm‐deep trench is formed between each capacitor using a sawing machine, and then the top electrode and side metal coating are added at the same time. Since scribing is performed prior to realisation of the top electrode, no additional dicing process is required. The quality factor of the proposed capacitor is improved from 73.8 to 101.3 at 2 GHz just by the addition of the side metal electrode.