bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerebral blood volume and oxygen supply uniformly increase following various intrathoracic pressure strains
Authors: Zhang Zhongxing , Bolz Nina , Laures Marco , Oremek Margit , Schmidt Christoph , Qi Ming , Khatami Ramin
Published: August 2017

Intrathoracic pressure (ITP) swings challenge many physiological systems. The responses of cerebral hemodynamics to different ITP swings are still less well-known due to the complexity of cerebral circulation and methodological limitation. Using frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy and echocardiography, we measured changes in cerebral, muscular and cardiac hemodynamics in five graded respiratory maneuvers (RM), breath holding, moderate and strong Valsalva maneuvers (mVM/sVM) with 20 and 40 cmH2O increments in ITP, moderate and strong Mueller maneuvers (mMM/sMM) with 20 and 40 cmH2O decrements in ITP controlled by esophageal manometry. We found cerebral blood volume (CBV) maintains relative constant during the strains while it increases during the recoveries together with increased oxygen supply. By contrast changes in muscular blood volume (MBV) are mainly controlled by systemic changes. The graded changes of ITP during the maneuvers predict the changes of MBV but not CBV. Changes in left ventricular stroke volume and heart rate correlate to MBV but not to CBV. These results suggest the increased CBV after the ITP strains is brain specific, suggesting cerebral vasodilatation. Within the strains, cerebral oxygen saturation only decreases in sVM, indicating strong increment rather than decrement in ITP may be more challenging for the brain.
Pre-culture Sudan Black B treatment suppresses autofluorescence signals emitted from polymer tissue scaffolds
Authors: Qi Lin , Knapton Erin K. , Zhang Xu , Zhang Tongwen , Gu Chen , Zhao Yi
Published: August 2017

In tissue engineering, autofluorescence of polymer scaffolds often lowers the image contrast, making it difficult to examine cells and subcellular structures. Treating the scaffold materials with Sudan Black B (SBB) after cell fixation can effectively suppress autofluorescence, but this approach is not conducive to live cell imaging. Post-culture SBB treatment also disrupts intracellular structures and leads to reduced fluorescence intensity of the targets of interest. In this study, we introduce pre-culture SBB treatment to suppress autofluorescence, where SBB is applied to polymeric scaffold materials before cell seeding. The results show that the autofluorescence signals emitted from polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds in three commonly used fluorescence channels effectively decrease without diminishing the fluorescence signals emitted from the cells. The pre-culture SBB treatment does not significantly affect cell viability. The autofluorescence suppressive effect does not substantially diminish during the culturing period up to 28 days. The results also show that cell migration, proliferation, and myogenic differentiation in pre-culture SBB-treated groups do not exhibit statistical difference from the non-treated groups. As such, this approach greatly improves the fluorescence image quality for examining live cell behaviors and dynamics while the cells are cultured within autofluorescent polymer scaffolds.
MicroRNA-7641 is a regulator of ribosomal proteins and a promising targeting factor to improve the efficacy of cancer therapy
Authors: Reza Abu Musa Md. Talimur , Choi Yun-Jung , Yuan Yu-Guo , Das Joydeep , Yasuda Hideyo , Kim Jin-Hoi
Published: August 2017

Many diseases, including myocardial infarction, autoimmune disease, viral diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancers, are frequently diagnosed with aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their allied pathways. This indicates the crucial role of miRNAs in maintaining biological and physiological processes. miR-7641 is a miRNA whose role in disease has not been fully investigated. In the present study, we investigated the expression pattern of miR-7641 and its target genes in different cancer cells, as well as in clinical cancer patients. Our data confirmed RPS16 and TNFSF10 as two direct targets of miR-7641, while gene expression study showed that a group of genes are also deregulated by miR-7641, including many ribosomal proteins that are frequently co-expressed with RPS16 in breast cancer. Direct inhibition of miR-7641 using a locked nucleic acid upregulated the expression of its target genes, sensitized cancer cells, and enhanced the efficiency of therapeutic agents such as doxorubicin. In addition, inhibition of miR-7641 boosted doxorubicin-mediated apoptosis of cancer cells via upregulation of apoptotic molecules Caspase 9 (CAS9) and poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) and downregulation of anti-apoptotic molecule BCL2. Thus, miR-7641 might be a clinically important cancer biomarker. Inhibition of miR-7641 expression could be an efficient treatment strategy for clinical patients.
Identifying protein complexes in PPI network using non-cooperative sequential game
Authors: Maulik Ujjwal , Basu Srinka , Ray Sumanta
Published: August 2017

Identifying protein complexes from protein-protein interaction (PPI) network is an important and challenging task in computational biology as it helps in better understanding of cellular mechanisms in various organisms. In this paper we propose a noncooperative sequential game based model for protein complex detection from PPI network. The key hypothesis is that protein complex formation is driven by mechanism that eventually optimizes the number of interactions within the complex leading to dense subgraph. The hypothesis is drawn from the observed network property named small world. The proposed multi-player game model translates the hypothesis into the game strategies. The Nash equilibrium of the game corresponds to a network partition where each protein either belong to a complex or form a singleton cluster. We further propose an algorithm to find the Nash equilibrium of the sequential game. The exhaustive experiment on synthetic benchmark and real life yeast networks evaluates the structural as well as biological significance of the network partitions.
Potato spindle tuber viroid infection triggers degradation of chloride channel protein CLC-b-like and Ribosomal protein S3a-like mRNAs in tomato plants
Authors: Adkar-Purushothama Charith Raj , Iyer Pavithran Sridharan , Perreault Jean-Pierre
Published: August 2017

It is well established that viroid derived small RNA (vd-sRNA) induces RNA silencing of endogenous mRNA. However, it remains not clear how exactly viroid infections can lead to severe symptom induction given the fact that fewer vd-sRNAs binding the specific target mRNAs were recovered from the infected plants. To answer this question, the two least expressed (+) and (−) strand vd-sRNAs of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) binding to both the 3′ UTR and the coding region of tomato mRNAs were analyzed by infecting tomato plants with two variants of PSTVd. As products of these putative target mRNAs are involved in plant phenotype, the effect of this viroid on these genes were analyzed by infecting tomato plants with two variants of PSTVd. The direct interaction between the vd-sRNAs and putative mRNAs was validated by artificial microRNA experiments in a transient expression system and by RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Parallel analysis of RNA ends of viroid infected plants revealed the widespread cleavage of the target mRNAs in locations other than the vd-sRNA binding site during the viroid infection implying the viroid-infection induced vd-sRNA independent degradation of endogenous mRNAs during viroid infection.
Restriction and modification of deoxyarchaeosine (dG+)-containing phage 9 g DNA
Authors: Tsai Rebecca , Corrêa Ivan R. , Xu Michael Y. , Xu Shuang-yong
Published: August 2017

E. coli phage 9 g contains the modified base deoxyarchaeosine (dG+) in its genome. The phage encodes its own primase, DNA ligase, DNA polymerase, and enzymes necessary to synthesize and incorporate dG+. Here we report phage 9 g DNA sensitivity to >200 Type II restriction endonucleases (REases). Among the REases tested approximately 29% generated complete or partial digestions, while the remaining 71% displayed resistance to restriction. Phage 9 g restriction fragments can be degraded by DNA exonucleases or ligated by T3 and T4 DNA ligases. In addition, we examined a number of cytosine and adenine methyltransferases to generate double base modifications. M.AluI, M.CviPI, M.HhaI, and M.EcoGII were able to introduce 5mC or
N6mA into 9 g DNA as confirmed by partial resistance to restriction and by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A number of wild-type E. coli bacteria restricted phage 9 g, indicating natural restriction barriers exist in some strains. A BlastP search of GenBank sequences revealed five glutamine amidotransferase-QueC homologs in Enterobacteria and Pseudomonas phage, and distant homologs in other phage and bacterial genomes, suggesting that dG+ is not a rare modification. We also mapped phage 9 g DNA packaging (pac) site containing two 21-bp direct repeats and a major terminase cleavage site in the phage genome.
Multigenerational effects of copper nanomaterials (CuONMs) are different of those of CuCl2: exposure in the soil invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus
Authors: Bicho Rita C. , Santos Fátima C. F. , Scott-Fordsmand Janeck J. , Amorim Mónica J. B.
Published: August 2017

Nanomaterials (NMs) are recommended to be tested in longer term exposures. Multigenerational (MG) studies are scarce and particularly important because effects can be transferred to the next generation. The current risk assessment framework does not include MG effects and this is a caveat for persistent materials. Here, the effects of copper NMs (CuONMs) and copper salt (CuCl2) were assessed in a MG exposure (4 generations in spiked soil + 2 generations in clean soil, F1 to F7 generations in total), with the standard soil model Enchytraeus crypticus, using relevant reproduction test effect concentrations (EC10, EC50), monitoring survival and reproduction. This represented ca. 1 year continuous exposure tests. MG effects varied with effect concentration and test materials: CuONMs caused increased toxicity for EC10 exposed organisms (EC50 did not change), and transfer to clean media reset effects, whereas CuCl2 reduced toxicity for EC10 and EC50, but the transfer to clean media “revived” the initial effects, i.e. close to EC50 levels in F7. Clearly CuONMs and CuCl2 cause different mechanisms of toxicity or response in the long term, not predictable based on short term or one generation studies. The present contributes for the improvement of risk assessment, adding important information for the long term exposure and effects.
miR-181a involves in the hippocampus-dependent memory formation via targeting PRKAA1
Authors: Zhang Sun-fu , Chen Jun-chen , Zhang Jing , Xu Jian-guo
Published: August 2017

Post-transcriptional gene regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs) is involved in memory formation. However, the roles of individual miRNAs in these processes remain largely unknown. In this study, we want to clarify the role of miR-181a in hippocampus-dependent memory formation. A transient increase in miR-181a expression was observed after conditioned fear conditioning (CFC) and object location task (OLT) training. Selective overexpression or inhibition of miR-181a in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) via the injection of a miR-181a agomir or antagomir enhanced or impaired the CFC- and OLT-dependent memory formation, respectively. Using bioinformatics and luciferase assays, we identified PRKAA1 as a potential target gene of miR-181a. After CFC or OLT training, the expression and activity of PRKAA1 decreased as miR-181a expression increased and was effectively blocked by the miR-181a antagomir. Moreover, microinjection of the PRKAA1 agonist AICAR or inhibitor compound C in the DH reversed the roles of the miR-181a agomir or antagomir in CFC- and OLT-dependent memory formation. In conclusion, this work provides novel evidence describing the role and mechanism of miR-181a in hippocampus-dependent memory formation, which sheds light on the potential regulation of cognition and future treatments for cognitive disorders.
Electric-field-induced alignment of electrically neutral disk-like particles: modelling and calculation
Authors: Qin Rongshan
Published: August 2017

This work reveals a torque from electric field to electrically neutral flakes that are suspended in a higher electrical conductive matrix. The torque tends to rotate the particles toward an orientation with its long axis parallel to the electric current flow. The alignment enables the anisotropic properties of tiny particles to integrate together and generate desirable macroscale anisotropic properties. The torque was obtained from thermodynamic calculation of electric current free energy at various microstructure configurations. It is significant even when the electrical potential gradient becomes as low as 100 v/m. The changes of electrical, electroplastic and thermal properties during particles alignment were discussed.
Application of the Onodera prognostic nutrition index and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in risk evaluation of postoperative complications in Crohn’s disease
Authors: Kang Wei-Ming , Zhu Chang-Zhen , Yang Xiao-Xu , Yu Jian-Chun , Ma Zhi-Qiang , Ye Xin , Li Kang , Liu Dong
Published: August 2017

This study aimed to investigate application of Onodera prognostic nutrition index (OPNI) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in evaluating risk of postoperative complications in Crohn’s disease (CD). Clinical data of 108 postoperative CD patients in 9 years were respectively reviewed. OPNI and NLR were within 1 week preoperatively. Average OPNI was 38.8 ± 8.2 and significantly lower in patients with: CD type B3; lymphopenia; decreased haemoglobin, prealbumin, and albumin; and daily enteral nutrition <500 kcal/d. Average NLR was 5.9 ± 12.1 and significantly higher in patients with: CD type B3, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, decreased prealbumin, and enteral nutrition <500 kcal/d. Youden index was maximal at OPNI 39.8 and NLR 4.1, patients were divided into two groups by OPNI 39.8 and NLR 4.1; Low OPNI (≤39.8) group had significantly greater incidence of type B3, lymphopenia, decreased haemoglobin, prealbumin and albumin, and enteral nutrition <500 kcal/day, more likely to have intra-abdominal bleeding. High NLR group (≥4.1) had significantly greater incidence of type B3, neutrophilia, and lymphopenia, more likely to develop lung infection. OPNI and NLR were significantly negatively correlated. Smoking within 1 year preoperatively, OPNI <39.8, NLR ≥ 4.1 were independent risk factors for postoperative complications in CD.
Analyses in zebrafish embryos reveal that nanotoxicity profiles are dependent on surface-functionalization controlled penetrance of biological membranes
Authors: Paatero Ilkka , Casals Eudald , Niemi Rasmus , Özliseli Ezgi , Rosenholm Jessica M. , Sahlgren Cecilia
Published: August 2017

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are extensively explored as drug delivery systems, but in depth understanding of design-toxicity relationships is still scarce. We used zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos to study toxicity profiles of differently surface functionalized MSNs. Embryos with the chorion membrane intact, or dechoroniated embryos, were incubated or microinjected with amino (NH2-MSNs), polyethyleneimine (PEI-MSNs), succinic acid (SUCC-MSNs) or polyethyleneglycol (PEG-MSNs) functionalized MSNs. Toxicity was assessed by viability and cardiovascular function. NH2-MSNs, SUCC-MSNs and PEG-MSNs were well tolerated, 50 µg/ml PEI-MSNs induced 100% lethality 48 hours post fertilization (hpf). Dechoroniated embryos were more sensitive and 10 µg/ml PEI-MSNs reduced viability to 5% at 96hpf. Sensitivity to PEG- and SUCC-, but not NH2-MSNs, was also enhanced. Typically cardiovascular toxicity was evident prior to lethality. Confocal microscopy revealed that PEI-MSNs penetrated into the embryos whereas PEG-, NH2- and SUCC-MSNs remained aggregated on the skin surface. Direct exposure of inner organs by microinjecting NH2-MSNs and PEI-MSNs demonstrated that the particles displayed similar toxicity indicating that functionalization affects the toxicity profile by influencing penetrance through biological barriers. The data emphasize the need for careful analyses of toxicity mechanisms in relevant models and constitute an important knowledge step towards the development of safer and sustainable nanotherapies
Growth, domain structure, and magnetic properties of CaMnO3(110) and La0.7Ca0.3MnO3(110) layers synthesized on hexagonal YMnO3(0001)
Authors: Nguyen Dong Tri , Quoc Viet Vu , Son Wonhyuk , Rhyee Jong-Soo , Koo Tae-Yeong , Song Seungwoo , Lee Nam-Suk , Kim Heon-Jung
Published: August 2017

Oxide heterostructures based on cubic perovskite have been studied widely but there has been little interest in the combination of different polymorphs, such as hexagonal and cubic manganites, into a single heterostructure.
Photo-switching of a non-ionic azobenzene amphiphile in Langmuir and Langmuir–Blodgett films
Authors: Piosik Emilia , Kotkowiak Michał , Korbecka Izabela , Galewski Zbigniew , Martyński Tomasz
Published: August 2017

The concept of programmable and reconfigurable soft matter has emerged in science in the last few decades and can be realized by photoisomerization of azobenzene derivatives.
Static and dynamic magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic coordination polymer [Co(NCS)2(py)2]n
Authors: Rams Michał , Böhme Michael , Kataev Vladislav , Krupskaya Yulia , Büchner Bernd , Plass Winfried , Neumann Tristan , Tomkowicz Zbigniew , Näther Christian
Published: August 2017

The static and dynamic properties of the Ising like chain ferromagnet are studied by magnetic measurements and high field-high frequency ESR spectroscopy.
Radiolysis of N2-rich astrophysical ice by swift oxygen ions: implication for space weathering of outer solar system bodies
Authors: Vasconcelos F. A. , Pilling S. , Rocha W. R. M. , Rothard H. , Boduch P.
Published: August 2017

We reported results for ion irradiation of N2-rich ices with implications for space weathering of outer solar bodies.
Droplet microfluidics for synthetic biology
Authors: Gach Philip C. , Iwai Kosuke , Kim Peter W. , Hillson Nathan J. , Singh Anup K.
Published: August 2017

Review of current droplet microfluidics systems as they apply to the field of synthetic biology and genetic engineering.
A switchable 3D liquid–liquid biconvex lens with enhanced resolution using Dean flow
Authors: Liang L. , Zhu X. Q. , Liu H. L. , Shi Y. , Yang Y.
Published: August 2017

A switchable 3D liquid–liquid biconvex lens with enhanced resolution using Dean flow.
CXCR7 attenuates the TGF-β-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Guan Shuhong , Zhou Jun
Published: August 2017

Lung fibrosis is a progressive and often fatal lung disease characterized by fibroblast proliferation and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the lungs.
Role of GARP in the activation of latent TGF-β1
Authors: Stockis Julie , Dedobbeleer Olivier , Lucas Sophie
Published: August 2017

GARP presents latent TGF-β1 on Tregs, and is indispensable for their active TGF-β1 production as shown with anti-GARP monoclonals.
Melamine modified graphene hydrogels for the removal of uranium(vi) from aqueous solution
Authors: Wang Xue , Li Rumin , Liu Jingyuan , Chen Rongrong , Zhang Hongsen , Liu Qi , Li Zhanshuang , Wang Jun
Published: August 2017

Melamine-modified graphene hydrogels (MA–GH) were successfully synthesized through a simple one-step method.
Influence of the first and second coordination spheres on the diverse phenoxazinone synthase activity of cobalt complexes derived from a tetradentate Schiff base ligand
Authors: Panja Anangamohan , Jana Narayan Ch. , Brandão Paula
Published: August 2017

Cobalt complexes as functional models for phenoxazinone synthase showing the influence of both first and second order coordination spheres on the catalytic activity and important intermediates in the ESI mass spectrum providing better information on the mechanistic pathway.
Positive zeta potential of nanodiamonds
Authors: Ginés Laia , Mandal Soumen , Ashek-I-Ahmed Ashek-I-Ahmed , Cheng Chia-Liang , Sow Maabur , Williams Oliver A.
Published: August 2017

Schematic figure of the positive zeta potential of nanodiamonds. This work clarifies the controversial origin of the positive zeta potential.
Time-resolved nanomechanics of a single cell under the depolymerization of the cytoskeleton
Authors: Garcia Pablo D. , Guerrero Carlos R. , Garcia Ricardo
Published: August 2017

We develop a method to measure the time and frequency response of a single living cell under the influence of an external force.
Real-time plasmon spectroscopy study of the solid-state oxidation and Kirkendall void formation in copper nanoparticles
Authors: Susman Mariano D. , Feldman Yishai , Bendikov Tatyana A. , Vaskevich Alexander , Rubinstein Israel
Published: August 2017

In situLSPR measurements establish the role of the nano Kirkendall effect in Cu nanoparticle oxidation.
Bio-inspired spider-web-like membranes with a hierarchical structure for high performance lithium/sodium ion battery electrodes: the case of 3D freestanding and binder-free bismuth/CNF anodes
Authors: Jin Yuqiang , Yuan Haocheng , Lan Jin-Le , Yu Yunhua , Lin Yuan-Hua , Yang Xiaoping
Published: August 2017

Bio-inspired design of Bi/CNF freestanding membranes with a hierarchical structure and their use as anodes for LIBs and SIBs.
Surfaces enhanced with film-coupled silver nanopolyhedrons for optical transmittance
Authors: Bai Xiuhui , Wang Jigang , Guo Ming , Li Zhen , Chen Ning , Wang Qiang , Li Chunhong , Wang Changzheng , Dong Kun , Chen Shaowei
Published: August 2017

The film-coupled silver (Ag) nanoparticle modes are precisely fabricated. We show that the film-coupled NPs provide a transmission spectrum that can be tailored by varying the geometry (the size of the NPs and/or the thickness of the spacer).
The effect of V155M mutation on the complex of hSTING and 2′3′-cGAMP: an in silico study case
Authors: Tang Bowen , Li Baicun , Li Boqun , Li Zan , Qin Jingbo , Zhou Xiaoxiao , Qiu Yingkun , Wu Zhen , Fang Meijuan
Published: August 2017

All atoms MD simulations for the complexes of WT/V155M hSTING and 2′3′-cGAMP were performed to study the effect of the V155M mutation on SAVI disease at the molecular level.
A “hairy” polymer/3D-foam hybrid for flexible high performance thermal gap filling applications in harsh environments
Authors: Loeblein M. , Jing L. , Liu M. , Cheah J. J. W. , Tsang S. H. , Teo E. H. T.
Published: August 2017

A new polymer/3D-foam-composite is presented for filling large gaps with high conformity and thermal conductivity, while rendering strong mechanical support.
Machine learning molecular dynamics for the simulation of infrared spectra
Authors: Gastegger Michael , Behler Jörg , Marquetand Philipp
Published: August 2017

Artificial neural networks are combined with molecular dynamics to simulate molecular infrared spectra including anharmonicities and temperature effects.
Formal aromaticity transfer for palladium-catalyzed coupling between phenols and pyrrolidines/indolines
Authors: Qiu Zihang , Li Jiang-Sheng , Li Chao-Jun
Published: August 2017

A formal aromaticity transfer reaction between phenols and pyrrolines/indolines has been developed: a redox- and atom-efficient method to synthesize N-cyclohexylpyrroles/indoles.
Dual-responsive deformation of a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer film with complex molecular alignment
Authors: Liu Quan , Zhan Yuanyuan , Wei Jia , Ji Wei , Hu Wei , Yu Yanlei
Published: August 2017

A crosslinked liquid crystal polymer film with discrete alternating splayed alignments is fabricated and shows dual-responsive behavior.
A self-supported porous WN nanowire array: an efficient 3D electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Ren Bowen , Li Dongqi , Jin Qiuyan , Cui Hao , Wang Chengxin
Published: August 2017

A clean N2-plasma was employed to develop self-supported porous tungsten nitride nanowires on carbon cloth (WN NW/CC) as an efficient 3D electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. The resulting catalyst gives a high activity and outstanding stability in both acidic and alkaline solutions.
3D walnut-shaped TiO2/RGO/MoO2@Mo electrode exhibiting extraordinary supercapacitor performance
Authors: Ju Peiwen , Zhu Zhaoqiang , Shao Xiaoxiao , Wang Shengqi , Zhao Chunhua , Qian Xiuzhen , Zhao Chongjun
Published: August 2017

3D hierarchical walnut-shaped TiO2/RGO/MoO2@Mo negative electrode delivered extraordinary performances of 3927 mF cm−2 areal capacitance and 3.5% capacitance loss after 5000 cycles.
A potassium-rich iron hexacyanoferrate/dipotassium terephthalate@carbon nanotube composite used for K-ion full-cells with an optimized electrolyte
Authors: Liao Jiaying , Hu Qiao , Yu Yingtao , Wang Heyang , Tang Zhongfeng , Wen Zhaoyin , Chen Chunhua
Published: August 2017

K-ion batteries, as an emerging battery system, have attracted tremendous attention in the research community.
A molecular-level superhydrophobic external surface to improve the stability of metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Sun Yuxiu , Sun Qi , Huang Hongliang , Aguila Briana , Niu Zheng , Perman Jason A. , Ma Shengqian
Published: August 2017

A facile and reliable molecular-level modification strategy was developed to impart superhydrophobicity to the external surface of porous metal–organic frameworks. The obtained Zr-based MOFs well inherit their original crystalline nature and remain stable under various conditions.
Field-induced nucleation in threshold switching characteristics of electrochemical metallization devices
Authors: Yoo Jongmyung , Park Jaehyuk , Song Jeonghwan , Lim Seokjae , Hwang Hyunsang
Published: August 2017

In this research, we investigate electrically driven threshold switching (TS) characteristics in electrochemical metallization cells by adopting the field-induced nucleation theory. For this aim, Ag/HfO2 and Ag/TiO2 based TS devices are prepared and examined. First, we carry out the field driven turn-on process to form Ag filaments created as a consequence of sequential nucleation of Ag ions from the bottom electrode. During the filament formation process, it is observed that the prepared devices show switching time exponential in voltage and temperature with different nucleation barrier energies (W0), which confirms the field-induced nucleation theory. Furthermore, we find that the device with higher W0 shows faster dissolution speed. This implies that the slow turn-off speed of the TS device can be improved by finding a material system with a higher W0 value.
Shock initiation of explosives: High temperature hot spots explained
Authors: Bassett Will P. , Johnson Belinda P. , Neelakantan Nitin K. , Suslick Kenneth S. , Dlott Dana D.
Published: August 2017

We investigated the shock initiation of energetic materials with a tabletop apparatus that uses km s−1 laser-driven flyer plates to initiate tiny explosive charges and obtains complete temperature histories with a high dynamic range. By comparing various microstructured formulations, including a pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) based plastic explosive (PBX) denoted XTX-8003, we determined that micron-scale pores were needed to create high hot spot temperatures. In charges where micropores (i.e., micron-sized pores) were present, a hot spot temperature of 6000 K was observed; when the micropores were pre-compressed to nm scale, however, the hot spot temperature dropped to ∼4000 K. By comparing XTX-8003 with an analog that replaced PETN by nonvolatile silica, we showed that the high temperatures require gas in the pores, that the high temperatures were created by adiabatic gas compression, and that the temperatures observed can be controlled by the choice of ambient gases. The hot spots persist in shock-compressed PBXs even in vacuum because the initially empty pores became filled with gas created in-situ by shock-induced chemical decomposition.
Communication: Stiff and soft nano-environments and the “Octopus Effect” are the crux of ionic liquid structural and dynamical heterogeneity
Authors: Daly Ryan P. , Araque Juan C. , Margulis Claudio J.
Published: August 2017

In a recent set of articles [J. C. Araque et al., J. Phys. Chem. B 119(23), 7015–7029 (2015) and J. C. Araque et al., J. Chem. Phys. 144, 204504 (2016)], we proposed the idea that for small neutral and charged solutes dissolved in ionic liquids, deviation from simple hydrodynamic predictions in translational and rotational dynamics can be explained in terms of diffusion through nano-environments that are stiff (high electrostriction, charge density, and number density) and others that are soft (charge depleted). The current article takes a purely solvent-centric approach in trying to provide molecular detail and intuitive visual understanding of time-dependent local mobility focusing on the most common case of an ionic liquid with well defined polar and apolar nano-domains. We find that at intermediate time scales, apolar regions are fluid, whereas the charge network is much less mobile. Because apolar domains and cationic heads must diffuse as single species, at long time the difference in mobility also necessarily dissipates.
Wavelength scale terahertz spectrometer based on extraordinary transmission
Authors: Henstridge M. , Zhou Jing , Guo L. Jay , Merlin R.
Published: August 2017

Subwavelength-slotted parallel plate waveguides exhibit a localized electromagnetic resonance bound to the slits at a frequency slightly below the transverse electric cutoff [R. Merlin, Phys. Rev. X 2, 031015 (2012)]. The resonance is long-lived and, as opposed to the vanishingly small transmission shown by a single sub-wavelength aperture, it gives perfect transmission for perfectly conducting plates. We show that the aperture-supported resonances of a pair of slotted copper plates have long lifetimes at Terahertz (THz) frequencies. Finite element method calculations show that these bound resonances can have quality factors greater than 100. The effects of the plate dimensions and imperfect parallel alignment are also discussed. Using THz time domain spectroscopy, we measured the transmission of a broadband pulse through a test structure for several plate separations and demonstrated, as a proof-of-principle, the function of the slotted waveguide as a highly compact THz spectrometer.
Direct observation of spoke evolution in magnetron sputtering
Authors: Anders André , Yang Yuchen
Published: August 2017

Ionization zones, also known as spokes, are plasma instabilities manifested as locations of intensified excitation and ionization over a sputtering magnetron's racetrack. Using a linear magnetron and a streak camera, we were able to observe and quantify spoke dynamics. The technique allows us to image the onset and changes for both direct current magnetron sputtering (dcMS) and high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS). Spokes in dcMS exhibit substructures. Spokes in HiPIMS are not stable as they shift along the racetrack; rather, they tend to grow or diminish, and they may split and merge. Their evolution can be interpreted in the context of localized electric fields and associated electron heating.
In-situ temperature stability of a piezoelectric accelerometer based on (Bi, Na, K, Li)TiO3 ceramics
Authors: Lee Gyoung-Ja , Kim Byung-Hoon , Yang Sun-A , Park Jin-Ju , Bu Sang-Don , Lee Min-Ku
Published: August 2017

This work investigated the in-situ temperature stability of 0.76(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-0.04(Bi0.5Li0.5)TiO3-0.2(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3 piezoceramics and a compression-mode accelerometer composed of these materials. The temperature-dependent charge sensitivity of the accelerometer was governed by the small-signal piezoelectric coefficient d33 rather than by the large-signal piezoelectric coefficient d*33 of the (Bi,Na)TiO3-based ceramics. The significant decrease in the charge sensitivity in the vicinity of the depolarization temperature is closely related to the main intrinsic contribution to the piezoelectricity, i.e., the decrease in the crystal anisotropy associated with the temperature-induced polar ferroelectric-nonpolar relaxor phase transition.
Edge geometry effects on resonance response of electroplated cylindrical Ni/PZT/Ni magnetoelectric composites
Authors: Yakubov Vladislav , Xu Lirong , Volinsky Alex A. , Qiao Lijie , Pan De’an
Published: August 2017

Trilayer Ni/PZT/Ni cylindrical magnetoelectric (ME) composites were prepared by electrodeposition, a process, which creates sub-millimeter raised edges due to current concentration near sharp points. The ME response in both axial and vertical modes was measured with the edges, with only outer edges removed, and with both outer and inner edges removed. The ME voltage coefficient improved at resonance by 40% and 147% without the edges in the vertical and axial modes, respectively. The observed improvements in three different samples were only present at the ME resonance and no changes were detected outside of the ME resonance. Mechanical quality factor at resonance also improved with no effect on the resonant frequency. Experimentally demonstrated minor geometry changes resulted in substantial ME improvement at resonant frequency. This study demonstrates device performance optimization. The observed effects have been attributed to improved vibrations in terms of decreased damping coefficient and enhanced vibration amplitude at resonance.
Movement and Habitat Use of Alligator Gars in the Escambia River, Florida
Authors: Wegener Matthew G. , Harriger Kathryn M. , Knight John R. , Barrett Mark A.
Published: August 2017

In Florida, the population status of the Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula is unknown, and harvest of this species was prohibited in 2006. Although abundance estimates are needed, first information about its habitat use and life history is required. We examined movement, habitat use, and home range of Alligator Gars in the Escambia River, an unregulated coastal river in Florida. Twenty-two fish (TL range = 92–193 cm) were captured by using large-mesh gill nets and were tagged with external transmitters. Detachment of tags resulted in 16 fish being tracked for the study (tag retention time = 2–19 months). Seasonal movements of fish were monitored by active daytime tracking and via fixed-station receivers to determine home and core ranges. Results suggested that Alligator Gar movement was seasonal and related to water temperature. Mean linear home ranges and core ranges were each approximately five times smaller during the cold season (water temperature ≤ 15°C) than during the warm season (>15°C). Diel movement and habitat information was collected (N = 8 Alligator Gars per season) from arrays of fixed-station receivers that recorded data continuously for 24 h during deployment. Individuals moved little and at a lower travel rate during 24-h periods in the cold season, whereas they became highly mobile during the warm season, moving at a higher travel rate. Alligator Gars spent proportionally more time in main-channel habitat (62.5%) during the warm season and in off-channel habitat (84.2%) during the cold season, but no difference in diel use of these habitats was evident between seasons. An understanding of movement patterns and habitat use could lead to increased catch, thereby improving the accuracy of abundance estimates and the reliability of population assessments. Comprehensive knowledge of these behaviors should help to guide conservation and management efforts in regulated and unregulated rivers throughout the Alligator Gar's range.

Received January 24, 2017; accepted June 9, 2017Published online August 10, 2017
Novel squalene-producing thraustochytrids found in mangrove water
Authors: Otagiri Masato , Khalid Ammara , Moriya Shigeharu , Osada Hiroyuki , Takahashi Shunji
Published: August 2017

On extended screening of squalene-producing strains in Okinawa mangrove water, we identified 14 novel squalene-producing thraustochytrids from 172 unialgal clonal isolates. The novel thraustochytrids produced 13.9–7.54 mg squalene/g dry cell weight. Eight isolates were found to belong to potentially novel squalene-producing genera, forming a monophyletic cluster independent from any known thraustochytrids.
PPARγ in dendritic cells and T cells drives pathogenic type-2 effector responses in lung inflammation
Authors: Nobs Samuel Philip , Natali Sara , Pohlmeier Lea , Okreglicka Katarzyna , Schneider Christoph , Kurrer Michael , Sallusto Federica , Kopf Manfred
Published: August 2017

Type-2 immune responses are well-established drivers of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, and represent a large burden on public health systems. The transcription factor PPARγ is known to promote M2-macrophage and alveolar macrophage development. Here, we report that PPARγ plays a key role in both T cells and dendritic cells (DCs) for development of type-2 immune responses. It is predominantly expressed in mouse Th2 cells in vitro and in vivo as well as human Th2 cells from allergic patients. Using conditional knockouts, we show that PPARγ signaling in T cells, although largely dispensable for IL-4 induction, is critical for IL-33–driven Th2 effector function in type-2 allergic airway responses. Furthermore, we demonstrate that IL-4 and IL-33 promote up-regulation of PPARγ in lung-resident CD11b+ DCs, which enhances migration to draining lymph nodes and Th2 priming capacity. Thus, we uncover a surprising proinflammatory role for PPARγ and establish it as a novel, important mediator of DC–T cell interactions in type-2 immunity.
Quenching the spark: Termination of CICR in the submicroscopic space of the dyad
Authors: Cannell Mark B. , Kong Cherrie H.T.
Published: August 2017

Cannell and Kong discuss the different termination mechanisms proposed for CICR in cardiac myocytes.
Warm Standard Scalar Field Modified Chaplygin Gas Inflation Inspired by Generalized Dissipative Coefficient on the Brane
Authors: Jawad Abdul , Gulshan Faiza , Rani Shamaila
Published: August 2017

We discuss the warm inflation in the presence of standard scalar field model and modified Chaplygin gas in brane-world scenario. We consider weak and strong dissipative regimes with generalized dissipative coefficient. We extract various inflationary parameters. For example, we analyze the behavior of different ratios (ratio of dissipative co-efficient and Hubble parameter Γ/3H, ratio of temperature and Hubble parameter T/H, scalar-to-tensor ratio r) with respect to spectral index ns
for the weak and strong dissipative regimes through parametric plotting. It is found that T/H and Γ/3H satisfied the required conditions in both dissipative regimes. It is also noted that the spectral index (ns
) attain the range

n
s

=

0.96

−
0.10

+
0.10

. It is remarked here that our results are consistence with observational data WMAP7, WMAP9, and recent Planck data.
Neuroprotective astrocyte-derived insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 stimulates endocytic processing and extracellular release of neuron-bound Aβ oligomers
Authors: Pitt Jason , Wilcox Kyle C. , Tortelli Vanessa , Diniz Luan Pereira , Oliveira Maira S. , Dobbins Cassandra , Yu Xiao-Wen , Nandamuri Sathwik , Gomes Flávia C. A. , DiNunno Nadia , Viola Kirsten L. , De Felice Fernanda G. , Ferreira Sergio T. , Klein William L.
Published: August 2017

Synaptopathy underlying memory deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is increasingly thought to be instigated by toxic oligomers of the amyloid beta peptide (AβOs). Given the long latency and incomplete penetrance of AD dementia with respect to Aβ pathology, we hypothesized that factors present in the CNS may physiologically protect neurons from the deleterious impact of AβOs. Here we employed physically separated neuron–astrocyte cocultures to investigate potential non–cell autonomous neuroprotective factors influencing AβO toxicity. Neurons cultivated in the absence of an astrocyte feeder layer showed abundant AβO binding to dendritic processes and associated synapse deterioration. In contrast, neurons in the presence of astrocytes showed markedly reduced AβO binding and synaptopathy. Results identified the protective factors released by astrocytes as insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1). The protective mechanism involved release of newly bound AβOs into the extracellular medium dependent upon trafficking that was sensitive to exosome pathway inhibitors. Delaying insulin treatment led to AβO binding that was no longer releasable. The neuroprotective potential of astrocytes was itself sensitive to chronic AβO exposure, which reduced insulin/IGF1 expression. Our findings support the idea that physiological protection against synaptotoxic AβOs can be mediated by astrocyte-derived insulin/IGF1, but that this protection itself is vulnerable to AβO buildup.
Mortality and Macrovascular Risk in Elderly With Hypertension and Diabetes: Effect of Intensive Drug Therapy
Authors: Yashkin Arseniy P , Kravchenko Julia , Yashin Anatoliy I , Sloan Frank
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

This study identifies the effect of intensive drug therapy (IDT) in individuals age 65+ with diabetes (type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D)) and hypertension on all-cause death, congestive heart failure (CHF), hospitalization for myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

METHODS

Individuals from the Medicare 5% dataset with hypertension and T2D undergoing IDT for these conditions were propensity score matched to a nonintensive drug-therapy group. Hazard ratios (HRs) were obtained using the Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

IDT was associated with increased risk of CHF (HR 2.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.32–2.38), MI (HR 4.27; 95% CI 4.05–4.52), and stroke or TIA (HR 1.80; 95% CI 1.70–1.89) but decreased risk of death (HR 0.95; 95% CI 0.93–0.97). Risk for CHF (HR 0.73; 95% CI 0.71–0.73), MI (HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.62–0.67), stroke or TIA (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.78–0.86), and death (HR 0.29; 95% CI 0.28–0.29) was decreased by adherence to diabetes management guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of IDT in a high-risk population delays death but not severe macrovascular outcomes. Protective effects of IDT in high-risk patients likely outweigh polypharmacy-related health concerns.
MAPseq: highly efficient k-mer search with confidence estimates, for rRNA sequence analysis
Authors: Matias Rodrigues João F , Schmidt Thomas S B , Tackmann Janko , von Mering Christian
Published: August 2017

Motivation

Ribosomal RNA profiling has become crucial to studying microbial communities, but meaningful taxonomic analysis and inter-comparison of such data are still hampered by technical limitations, between-study design variability and inconsistencies between taxonomies used.

Results

Here we present MAPseq, a framework for reference-based rRNA sequence analysis that is up to 30% more accurate (F½ score) and up to one hundred times faster than existing solutions, providing in a single run multiple taxonomy classifications and hierarchical operational taxonomic unit mappings, for rRNA sequences in both amplicon and shotgun sequencing strategies, and for datasets of virtually any size.

Availability and implementation

Source code and binaries are freely available at https://github.com/jfmrod/mapseq

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Influence of Social Crowding on Brand Attachment
Authors: Huang Xun (Irene) , Huang Zhongqiang (Tak) , Wyer Robert S
Published: August 2017

Feeling crowded in a shopping environment can decrease consumers’ evaluations of a product or service and lower customer satisfaction. However, the present research suggests that a crowded environment can sometimes have a positive impact on consumer behavior. Although feeling crowded motivates consumers to avoid interacting with others, it leads them to become more attached to brands as an alternative way of maintaining their basic need for belongingness. The effect does not occur (a) when the crowding environment is composed of familiar people (and, therefore, is not considered aversive); (b) when individuals have an interdependent self-construal (and consequently, high tolerance for crowdedness); (c) when people are accompanied by friends in the crowded environment; (d) when the social function of the brands is made salient; (e) when people have never used the brand before; or (f) when the brand is referred to as a general product rather than a specific brand.
Silencing of RBOHF2 Causes Leaf Age–Dependent Accelerated Senescence, Salicylic Acid Accumulation, and Powdery Mildew Resistance in Barley
Authors: Torres Denise Pereira , Proels Reinhard K. , Schempp Harald , Hückelhoven Ralph
Published: August 2017

Plant RBOH (RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOGS)-type NADPH oxidases produce superoxide radical anions and have a function in developmental processes and in response to environmental challenges. Barley RBOHF2 has diverse reported functions in interaction with the biotrophic powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei. Here, we analyzed, in detail, plant leaf level- and age-specific susceptibility of stably RBOHF2-silenced barley plants. This revealed enhanced susceptibility to fungal penetration of young RBOHF2-silenced leaf tissue but strongly reduced susceptibility of older leaves when compared with controls. Loss of susceptibility in old RBOHF2-silenced leaves was associated with spontaneous leaf-tip necrosis and constitutively elevated levels of free and conjugated salicylic acid. Additionally, these leaves more strongly expressed pathogenesis-related genes, both constitutively and during interaction with B. graminis f. sp. hordei. Together, this supports the idea that barley RBOHF2 contributes to basal resistance to powdery mildew infection in young leaf tissue but is required to control leaf cell death, salicylic acid accumulation, and defense gene expression in older leaves, explaining leaf age–specific resistance of RBOHF2-silenced barley plants.
Care of 500–1500 Gram Premature Infants in Hybrid Incubators
Authors: Boyd Holly , Brand M. Colleen , Hagan Joseph
Published: August 2017

Background:

Although technological advances have improved devices used to maintain the temperatures of 500- to 1500-g infants, managing the thermal environment remains challenging.

Purpose:

To evaluate the effects of 2 methods of thermal support provided by a hybrid incubator during routine care in the first week of life.

Methods:

This descriptive, comparative study evaluates changes in temperature, humidity, heart rate, and oxygen saturation in the incubator versus radiant warmer (canopy) modes of hybrid warmers using data downloaded from the incubator and the monitor. The impact of the Boost Curtain on temperature when opening the portholes during the incubator mode was also examined. Mixed-effects linear models and the log-rank test were used to analyze patient data to determine the effect of thermal support on temperature and humidity changes during care, as well as during the postcare period.

Results:

Entering the incubator through the portholes improved temperature control compared with using the canopy mode. The Boost Curtain resulted in an overall temperature stability and heat gain.

Implications for Practice:

Nurses caring for premature infants in hybrid incubators should minimize incubator openings and utilize portholes rather than the canopy whenever practical. The Boost Curtain should be used when opening the portholes during the incubator mode.

Implications for Research:

Comparing time, accuracy, and tolerance of procedures in the canopy versus incubator modes would improve nurses' ability to determine the best approach for different clinical scenarios.