bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Herramientas de estudio utilizadas por alumnos de ciencias de la salud en la materia de Anatomía
Authors: Narváez-Hernández Erik , Murillo-Rábago Elvira Ivonne
Published: January 2015

Introducción: Las herramientas de estudio varían de acuerdo al acceso a la tecnología y presupuesto de la Facultad, en Anatomía el uso de modelos virtuales y videos en línea, son una realidad con cada vez mayor uso.

Objetivo: Conocer las herramientas de estudio más utilizadas por alumnos que cursaron la materia de Anatomía General en cuanto a tiempo de estudio, tecnología de la información que utilizan, libros preferidos, uso de modelos anatómicos y utilidad de las disecciones.

Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional y descriptivo a los alumnos que cursaron la materia de Anatomía, aplicándoles un cuestionario para recabar información sobre sus herramientas de estudio, preguntándoles sobre el libro preferido, el tiempo en internet, la utilidad de los modelos anatómicos y las disecciones.

Resultados: Se encuestó a un total de 225 alumnos respecto a la preferencia de los libros de Anatomía, 49% prefirió el libro de Anatomía Clínica de Moore, 33% Anatomía Humana de Latarjet, 10.5% Anatomía de Grey y 3.5% Anatomía Humana de Quiroz. Al encuestar el tiempo de uso en internet para el estudio en proporción horas/semana, 23.6% lo utilizó una hora, 24.9% dos horas, 19.6% tres horas y 29.3% más de tres horas. Respecto a las disecciones, el 97% consideró que las prácticas en anfiteatro son útiles como actividad complementaria. Referente a los materiales en clase, el 36% prefirió los modelos anatómicos como una adecuada herramienta, el 23% los videos, el 20% las imágenes, el 12% las exposiciones y el 9% las preguntas exploratorias.

Conclusiones: Se debe orientar respecto a la búsqueda de información confiable y útil en internet para su mejor aprovechamiento; también se observó que dentro del aula prefieren el uso de modelos anatómicos como herramienta docente y que se continúa prefiriendo la disección cadavérica como actividad complementaria.
Síntesis de la evidencia en educación para la salud
Authors: García-Perdomo Herney Andrés
Published: January 2015

La revisión sistemática (RS) de la literatura es la evaluación sistemática y explícita de la literatura, a partir de una pregunta clara de investigación, junto a un análisis crítico de acuerdo a diferentes herramientas y un resumen cualitativo de la evidencia. Al existir datos duros, claros y homogéneos es posible la realización de un análisis estadístico denominado “meta-análisis” (MA). Las RS deben presentar los siguientes aspectos: una pregunta de investigación clara y basada en la estrategia “Población, Intervención, Control, Desenlace” (PICO), una estrategia de búsqueda clara y reproducible, la selección apropiada de los estudios junto a la extracción de sus datos, la evaluación de la calidad de la evidencia con alguna de las diferentes herramientas y, si existen datos duros y homogéneos, se podrá realizar un meta-análisis. Las RS de la literatura/MA son un apoyo fundamental para la toma de decisiones tanto en el área clínica como en la educativa; además para el desarrollo de políticas públicas en todas las áreas de conocimiento.
Mapas conceptuales para favorecer el aprendizaje significativo en ciencias de la salud
Authors: Luna de la Luz Verónica
Published: January 2015

En esta Pauta en Educación Médica se describe un proceso para facilitar la creación de mapas conceptuales como estrategia de enseñanza y aprendizaje, que permita analizar la información a través de promover la identificación del esquema de conocimientos previos, en el que se establezcan relaciones lógicas con la información a aprender, para promover el pensamiento crítico y el aprendizaje significativo.
Universal Screening and Decolonization for Control of MRSA in Nursing Homes: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Bellini Cristina , Petignat Christiane , Masserey Eric , Büla Christophe , Burnand Bernard , Rousson Valentin , Blanc Dominique S. , Zanetti Giorgio
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE

The risk of carrying methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is higher among nursing home (NH) residents than in the general population. However, control strategies are not clearly defined in this setting. In this study, we compared the impact of standard precautions either alone (control) or combined with screening of residents and decolonization of carriers (intervention) to control MRSA in NHs.

DESIGN

Cluster randomized controlled trial

SETTING

NHs of the state of Vaud, Switzerland

PARTICIPANTS

Of 157 total NHs in Vaud, 104 (67%) participated in the study.

INTERVENTION

Standard precautions were enforced in all participating NHs, and residents underwent MRSA screening at baseline and 12 months thereafter. All carriers identified in intervention NHs, either at study entry or among newly admitted residents, underwent topical decolonization combined with environmental disinfection, except in cases of MRSA infection, MRSA bacteriuria, or deep skin ulcers.

RESULTS

NHs were randomly allocated to a control group (51 NHs, 2,412 residents) or an intervention group (53 NHs, 2,338 residents). Characteristics of NHs and residents were similar in both groups. The mean screening rates were 86% (range, 27%–100%) in control NHs and 87% (20%–100%) in intervention NHs. Prevalence of MRSA carriage averaged 8.9% in both control NHs (range, 0%–43%) and intervention NHs (range, 0%–38%) at baseline, and this rate significantly declined to 6.6% in control NHs and to 5.8% in intervention NHs after 12 months. However, the decline did not differ between groups (P=.66).

CONCLUSION

Universal screening followed by decolonization of carriers did not significantly reduce the prevalence of the MRSA carriage rate at 1 year compared with standard precautions.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2015;00(0): 1–8
Mapping regional vegetation developments in Twente (the Netherlands) since the Late Glacial and evaluating contemporary settlement patterns
Authors: van Beek R. , Gouw-Bouman M.T.I.J. , Bos J.A.A.
Published: January 2015

Interdisciplinary, landscape-oriented studies from an archaeological viewpoint in the Low Countries mainly concentrate on cultural and economic research questions. Focal points are the physical setting of settlements and cemeteries, land use patterns and subsistence economy. As a result, the collected data are rather site-based and one-dimensional. As a counterweight, this study aims to look beyond the boundaries of settlements and cemeteries by offering a regional and diachronic perspective on the development of the landscape, vegetation and habitation of Twente (the Netherlands) since the Late Glacial. A detailed search for existing pollen data yielded 125 sites containing information from a wide variety of sampling contexts. A series of six evidence-based regional vegetation maps have been constructed by analysing relations between pollen data, soil data and topography. The maps serve as first-stage generalised models that predict regional trends, allow subsequent testing and place site-specific archaeological data in a wider context. The method developed is applicable to other regions. A comparison with contemporary habitation patterns, based on archaeological and historical data, reveals spatio-temporal trends in human influence on vegetation and in physical factors influencing site location. Five maps have been ‘translated’ into artist impressions.
The geometry and emplacement of the Pilanesberg Complex, South Africa
Authors: CAWTHORN R. GRANT
Published: January 2015

The circular 625 km2 alkaline Pilanesberg Complex, South Africa, contains coeval eruptive and several distinctive intrusive syenitic and foyaitic components, concentrically arranged at the surface. However, owing to poor outcrop the relationships between the different intrusive rocks, and their shape in the third dimension cannot be convincingly determined in the field. The original interpretation was a laccolith, whereas later models suggested a funnel shape, and appealed to ring-dyke and cone-sheet emplacement mechanisms. However, the radial widths of these coarse-grained bodies are over 1 km and so cannot have been emplaced as ring dykes or cone sheets, which are usually quite thin and fine grained. Creating the space for emplacement and removal of pre-existing country rocks for each postulated subsequent intrusive event presents a major challenge to this latter hypothesis. Extensive previously published and new field relationships are re-evaluated here to suggest that the body is a gently inward-dipping sheet and that subsequent injections of magma merely pumped up an existing and evolving magma chamber rather than intruded into solid rocks. A Bouguer gravity anomaly model is presented that supports the concept of a shallow, flat-bottomed body rather than one that continues to significant depth. There are many analogies with the Kangerlussuaq Intrusion, Greenland.
Railroads as an Economic Force in American Development
Authors: Jenks Leland H.
Published: January 2015

Any attempt to discuss the way in which railroads have promoted the rise of the American economy must assume some theory of economic evolution. The following analysis is based upon Schumpeter's theory of innovations. Briefly this theory holds that economic evolution in capitalistic society is started by innovation in some production function, that is, by new combinations of the factors in the economic process. These innovations may center in new commodities or new services, new types of machinery, new forms of organization, new firms, new resources, or new areas. As Schumpeter makes clear, this is not a general theory of economic, much less of social, change. Innovation is an internal factor operating within a given economic system while the system is also affected by external factors (many of them sociological) and by growth (which means, substantially, changes in population and in the sum total of savings made by individuals and firms). These sets of factors interact in economic change. “The changes in the economic process brought about by innovation, together with all their effects, and the response to them by the economic system” constitute economic evolution for Schumpeter.
Surgical and audiological evaluation of the Baha BA400
Authors: Iseri M , Orhan K S , Yarıktaş M H , Kara A , Durgut M , Ceylan D S , Guldiken Y , Keskin I G , Değer K
Published: January 2015

Objective:

Despite extensive soft tissue reduction, the most common complications associated with bone-anchored hearing aid systems, also known as bone-anchored hearing implants, are related to adverse skin reactions around the abutment. The necessary soft tissue reduction also adds complexity to the surgical procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical and audiological outcomes of a new connective interface of the Cochlear™ Baha® BA400 device implanted using the one-stage surgical technique.

Method:

A multicentre, retrospective case series is presented, including data collected from three tertiary care institutions.

Results:

In total, 16 patients who had undergone bone-anchored hearing aid surgery over a 10- to 12-month period were assessed for hearing performance, implant stability and surgical complications.

Conclusion:

This case series indicates that new abutments with a hydroxyapatite coating can be implanted percutaneously without soft tissue reduction. Furthermore, device implantation using this surgical technique may have some advantages compared with a conventional device and procedure combination over 12- to 16-months of follow up.
The ups and downs of life: population expansion and bottlenecks of helminth parasites through their complex life cycle
Authors: POULIN ROBERT , LAGRUE CLÉMENT
Published: January 2015

The fundamental assumption underpinning the evolution of numerous adaptations shown by parasites with complex life cycles is that huge losses are incurred by infective stages during certain transmission steps. However, the magnitude of transmission losses or changes in the standing crop of parasites passing from upstream (source) to downstream (target) hosts have never been quantified in nature. Here, using data from 100 pairs of successive upstream–downstream life stages, from distinct populations representing 10 parasite species, we calculated the total density per m2of successive life stages. We show that clonal amplification of trematodes in their first intermediate host leads to an average 4-fold expansion of numbers of individuals at the next life stage, when differences in the longevity of successive life stages are taken into account. In contrast, trophic transmission to the definitive host results in almost no numerical change for trematodes, but possibly in large decreases for acanthocephalans and nematodes, though a correction for longevity was not possible for the latter groups. Also, we only found a positive association between upstream and downstream stage densities for transmission involving free-swimming cercariae in trematodes, suggesting a simple output-recruitment process. For trophic transmission, there was no coupling between downstream and upstream parasite densities. These first quantitative estimates of ontogenetic rises and falls in numbers under natural conditions provide new insights into the selective pressures acting on parasites with complex cycles.
Genotyping and subtyping ofGiardiaandCryptosporidiumisolates from commensal rodents in China
Authors: ZHAO Z. , WANG R. , ZHAO W. , QI M. , ZHAO J. , ZHANG L. , LI J. , LIU A.
Published: January 2015

CryptosporidiumandGiardiaare two important zoonotic intestinal parasites responsible for diarrhoea in humans and other animals worldwide. Rodents, as reservoirs or carriers ofCryptosporidiumandGiardia, are abundant and globally widespread. In the present study, we collected 232 fecal specimens from commensal rodents captured in animal farms and farm neighbourhoods in China. We collected 33 Asian house rats, 168 brown rats and 31 house mice. 6·0% (14/232) and 8·2% (19/232) of these rodents were microscopy-positive forGiardiacysts andCryptosporidiumoocysts, respectively. All 14Giardiaisolates were identified asGiardia duodenalisassemblage G at a minimum of one or maximum of three gene loci (tpi, gdhandbg). By small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequencing,Cryptosporidium parvum(n= 12) andCryptosporidium muris(n= 7) were identified. The gp60 gene encoding the 60-kDa glycoprotein was successfully amplified and sequenced in nineC. parvumisolates, all of which belonged to the IIdA15G1 subtype. Observation of the same IIdA15G1 subtype in humans (previously) and in rodents (here) suggests that rodents infected withCryptosporidiumhave the potential to transmit cryptosporidiosis to humans.
Temporal delay discounting in acutely ill and weight-recovered patients with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Ritschel F. , King J. A. , Geisler D. , Flohr L. , Neidel F. , Boehm I. , Seidel M. , Zwipp J. , Ripke S. , Smolka M. N. , Roessner V. , Ehrlich S.
Published: January 2015

Background.

Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) are characterized by a very low body weight but readily give up immediate rewards (food) for long-term goals (slim figure), which might indicate an unusual level of self-control. This everyday clinical observation may be quantifiable in the framework of the anticipation-discounting dilemma.

Method.

Using a cross-sectional design, this study compared the capacity to delay reward in 34 patients suffering from acute AN (acAN), 33 weight-recovered AN patients (recAN) and 54 healthy controls. We also used a longitudinal study to reassess 21 acAN patients after short-term weight restoration. A validated intertemporal choice task and a hyperbolic model were used to estimate temporal discounting rates.

Results.

Confirming the validity of the task used, decreased delay discounting was associated with age and low self-reported impulsivity. However, no group differences in key measures of temporal discounting of monetary rewards were found.

Conclusions.

Increased cognitive control, which has been suggested as a key characteristic of AN, does not seem to extend the capacity to wait for delayed monetary rewards. Differences between our study and the only previous study reporting decreased delay discounting in adult AN patients may be explained by the different age range and chronicity of acute patients, but the fact that weight recovery was not associated with changes in discount rates suggests that discounting behavior is not a trait marker in AN. Future studies using paradigms with disorder-specific stimuli may help to clarify the role of delay discounting in AN.
Is avolition in schizophrenia associated with a deficit of dorsal caudate activity? A functional magnetic resonance imaging study during reward anticipation and feedback
Authors: Mucci A. , Dima D. , Soricelli A. , Volpe U. , Bucci P. , Frangou S. , Prinster A. , Salvatore M. , Galderisi S. , Maj M.
Published: January 2015

Background

The neurobiological underpinnings of avolition in schizophrenia remain unclear. Most brain imaging research has focused on reward prediction deficit and on ventral striatum dysfunction, but findings are not consistent. In the light of accumulating evidence that both ventral striatum and dorsal caudate play a key role in motivation, we investigated ventral striatum and dorsal caudate activation during processing of reward or loss in patients with schizophrenia.

Method

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to study brain activation during a Monetary Incentive Delay task in patients with schizophrenia, treated with second-generation antipsychotics only, and in healthy controls (HC). We also assessed the relationships of ventral striatum and dorsal caudate activation with measures of hedonic experience and motivation.

Results

The whole patient group had lower motivation but comparable hedonic experience and striatal activation than HC. Patients with high avolition scores showed lower dorsal caudate activation than both HC and patients with low avolition scores. A lower dorsal caudate activation was also observed in patients with deficit schizophrenia compared to HC and patients with non-deficit schizophrenia. Dorsal caudate activity during reward anticipation was significantly associated with avolition, but not with anhedonia in the patient group.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that avolition in schizophrenia is linked to dorsal caudate hypoactivation.
The end of work or work without end? How people’s beliefs about labour markets shape retirement politics
Authors: Kemmerling Achim
Published: January 2015

This article argues that public opinion on retirement is related to people’s causal beliefs about how labour markets work. Whereas voters do not think that there is an employment trade-off between older and younger workers in some European countries, in others, this is a dominant paradigm. When they believe this trade-off exists, people are more hostile to reforms that lead to longer working lives. The article uses Eurobarometer data to investigate the determinants of this belief – for instance, more people being led to believe in such a trade-off under high levels of labour market regulation. The article then goes on to show that this belief is related to policy preferences about early retirement. Finally, the article illustrates the political consequences of this belief and shows that it affects many policy areas even beyond early retirement.
Secondary dormancy dynamics depends on primary dormancy status inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Auge Gabriela A. , Blair Logan K. , Burghardt Liana T. , Coughlan Jennifer , Edwards Brianne , Leverett Lindsay D. , Donohue Kathleen
Published: January 2015

Seed dormancy can prevent germination under unfavourable conditions that reduce the chances of seedling survival. Freshly harvested seeds often have strong primary dormancy that depends on the temperature experienced by the maternal plant and which is gradually released through afterripening. However, seeds can be induced into secondary dormancy if they experience conditions or cues of future unfavourable conditions. Whether this secondary dormancy induction is influenced by seed-maturation conditions and primary dormancy has not been explored in depth. In this study, we examined secondary dormancy induction in seeds ofArabidopsis thalianamatured under different temperatures and with different levels of afterripening. We found that low water potential and a range of temperatures, from 8°C to 35°C, induced secondary dormancy. Secondary dormancy induction was affected by the state of primary dormancy of the seeds. Specifically, afterripening had a non-monotonic effect on the ability to be induced into secondary dormancy by stratification; first increasing in sensitivity as afterripening proceeded, then declining in sensitivity after 5 months of afterripening, finally increasing again by 18 months of afterripening. Seed-maturation temperature sometimes had effects that were independent of expressed primary dormancy, such that seeds that had matured at low temperature, but which had comparable germination proportions as seeds matured at warmer temperatures, were more easily induced into secondary dormancy. Because seed-maturation temperature is a cue of when seeds were matured and dispersed, these results suggest that the interaction of seed-maturation temperature, afterripening and post-dispersal conditions all combine to regulate the time of year of seed germination.
Influence of Bismuth Additive on the Growth of ZnO Nanostructures
Authors: Xu J. , Liu J.Y.
Published: January 2015

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 4 – August 8, 2013.
Dosimetric study of the AAA algorithm for the VMAT technique using an anthropomorphic phantom in the pelvic region
Authors: Puchades Vicente , Serna Alfredo , Mata-Colodro Fernando , Ramos-Amores Davis , Casal Emilio , Alcaraz Miguel
Published: January 2015

Purpose

The objective of this work was to investigate the accuracy of AAA dose calculation algorithm for RapidArc volumetric modulated technique (VMAT) in the presence of anatomical heterogeneities in the pelvic region.

Material and methods

An anthropomorphic phantom was used to simulate a prostate case, delineating planning target volumes (PTVs) and organs at risk. VMAT plans were optimised in eclipse (v10·0) treatment planning system (TPS). The dose distributions were calculated by the AAA dose calculation algorithm. A total of 49 thermoluminiscent dosimeters were inserted into the anthropomorphic phantom and dose measurements were compared with the predicted TPS doses.

Results

The average dose variation was −1·5% for planning target volume corresponding to the prostate and −0·3% for planning target volume corresponding to the pelvic nodes, −0·2% for the rectum, +2·4% for the bladder, −2·0% for the femoral heads and +1·0% for the intestinal package.

Conclusion

AAA is a reliable dose calculation for the treatment with VMAT in the anatomy of the pelvis.
E-band cavity diplexer based on micromachined technology
Authors: Nocella Valeria , Pelliccia Luca , Farinelli Paola , Sorrentino Roberto , Costa Mario , Yufeng Dai , Yanzhao Zhou
Published: January 2015

A robust and tuneless micromachined waveguide diplexer operating in the frequency range 71–86 GHz is here presented. The diplexer is based on multiple coupled cavities and it is manufactured using micromachining technology on two staked silicon layers. The diplexer consists of two filters combined to a common waveguide port via an E-plane T-junction. The two eight-order band-pass filters are centered at 73.5 and 83.5 GHz. The fractional bandwidths for two bands are 8.8 and 7.8% at higher- and lower-band, respectively. The measured insertion loss is below 0.7 dB for both the filters and the diplexer isolation is better than 55 dB, as required. The proposed technology allows for a very compact device (<20 × 20 × 1.5 mm) and the first prototypes were proved to be very robust to manufacturing tolerances and environmental tests, thus leading to an excellent tuneless manufacturing yield in future production. The diplexer will be employed in next generation terrestrial radio-link communications front-ends.
Large Autosomal Copy-Number Differences within Unselected Monozygotic Twin Pairs are Rare
Authors: McRae Allan F. , Visscher Peter M. , Montgomery Grant W. , Martin Nicholas G.
Published: January 2015

Monozygotic (MZ) twins form an important system for the study of biological plasticity in humans. While MZ twins are generally considered to be genetically identical, a number of studies have emerged that have demonstrated copy-number differences within a twin pair, particularly in those discordant for disease. The rate of autosomal copy-number variation (CNV) discordance within MZ twin pairs was investigated using a population sample of 376 twin pairs genotyped on Illumina Human610-Quad arrays. After CNV calling using both QuantiSNP and PennCNV followed by manual annotation, only a single CNV difference was observed within the MZ twin pairs, being a 130 KB duplication of chromosome 5. Five other potential discordant CNV were called by the software, but excluded based on manual annotation of the regions. It is concluded that large CNV discordance is rare within MZ twin pairs, indicating that any CNV difference found within phenotypically discordant MZ twin pairs has a high probability of containing the causal gene(s) involved.
An Experimental Study of Electoral Incentives and Institutional Choice
Authors: Woon Jonathan
Published: January 2015

I investigate the extent to which reputational incentives affect policy choices in the context of a controlled laboratory experiment. In theory, asymmetric information and outcome unobservability undermine electoral delegation by creating incentives for politicians to pander. Under the right conditions, it may be preferable to remove such incentives by removing accountability altogether. The data suggest that subjects playing the role of politicians fail to take advantage of voters even though voters indeed create the predicted electoral incentives, albeit in a weaker form than predicted by the theory. When given the choice of institutions via a novel elicitation method, subjects prefer to retain electoral accountability or to make decisions themselves through direct democracy, even though both institutions yield lower expected payoffs than delegation to unaccountable agents.
Experiments, Journals, and Ethics
Authors: Morton Rebecca B. , Tucker Joshua A.
Published: January 2015

As political science experiments have increasingly moved out of the traditional western university laboratory setting, researchers have had to confront many new issues that had previously received less attention from experimentalists. Much ink and effort has been expended on the methodological issues involved due to the loss of experimental control and the difficulty in implementing and maintaining true random assignment. Moreover, as experimentation has become increasingly popular and more attention has been paid to the way in which we collect and analyze data generally, many are concerned with disconnects between design proposals and actual implementations – especially with the possibility of burying null findings or reporting findings that just barely meet standardized levels of significance – and with the ability of researchers to replicate results. Furthermore, questions of harm to human subjects – and notions of informed consent – have had to be revisited in situations far from the conditions in which these concepts were originally developed.
Reconfigurable radio-frequency arbitrary waveforms synthesized in a silicon photonic chip
Authors: Wang Jian , Shen Hao , Fan Li , Wu Rui , Niu Ben , Varghese Leo T. , Xuan Yi , Leaird Daniel E. , Wang Xi , Gan Fuwan , Weiner Andrew M. , Qi Minghao
Published: January 2015

Photonic methods of radio-frequency waveform generation and processing can provide performance advantages and flexibility over electronic methods due to the ultrawide bandwidth offered by the optical carriers. However, bulk optics implementations suffer from the lack of integration and slow reconfiguration speed. Here we propose an architecture of integrated photonic radio-frequency generation and processing and implement it on a silicon chip fabricated in a semiconductor manufacturing foundry. Our device can generate programmable radio-frequency bursts or continuous waveforms with only the light source, electrical drives/controls and detectors being off-chip. It modulates an individual pulse in a radio-frequency burst within 4 ns, achieving a reconfiguration speed three orders of magnitude faster than thermal tuning. The on-chip optical delay elements offer an integrated approach to accurately manipulating individual radio-frequency waveform features without constraints set by the speed and timing jitter of electronics, and should find applications ranging from high-speed wireless to defence electronics.
Human iPSC-derived motoneurons harbouring TARDBP or C9ORF72 ALS mutations are dysfunctional despite maintaining viability
Authors: Devlin Anna-Claire , Burr Karen , Borooah Shyamanga , Foster Joshua D. , Cleary Elaine M. , Geti Imbisaat , Vallier Ludovic , Shaw Christopher E. , Chandran Siddharthan , Miles Gareth B.
Published: January 2015

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease for which a greater understanding of early disease mechanisms is needed to reveal novel therapeutic targets. We report the use of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motoneurons (MNs) to study the pathophysiology of ALS. We demonstrate that MNs derived from iPSCs obtained from healthy individuals or patients harbouring TARDBP or C9ORF72 ALS-causing mutations are able to develop appropriate physiological properties. However, patient iPSC-derived MNs, independent of genotype, display an initial hyperexcitability followed by progressive loss of action potential output and synaptic activity. This loss of functional output reflects a progressive decrease in voltage-activated Na+ and K+ currents, which occurs in the absence of overt changes in cell viability. These data implicate early dysfunction or loss of ion channels as a convergent point that may contribute to the initiation of downstream degenerative pathways that ultimately lead to MN loss in ALS.
Recombination is a key driver of genomic and phenotypic diversity in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa population during cystic fibrosis infection
Authors: Darch Sophie E. , McNally Alan , Harrison Freya , Corander Jukka , Barr Helen L. , Paszkiewicz Konrad , Holden Stephen , Fogarty Andrew , Crusz Shanika A. , Diggle Stephen P.
Published: January 2015

The Cystic Fibrosis (CF) lung harbors a complex, polymicrobial ecosystem, in whichPseudomonas aeruginosais capable of sustaining chronic infections, which are highly resistant to multiple antibiotics. Here, we investigate the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of 44 morphologically identicalP. aeruginosaisolates taken from a single CF patient sputum sample. Comprehensive phenotypic analysis of isolates revealed large variances and trade-offs in growth, virulence factors and quorum sensing (QS) signals. Whole genome analysis of 22 isolates revealed high levels of intra-isolate diversity ranging from 5 to 64 SNPs and that recombination and not spontaneous mutation was the dominant driver of diversity in this population. Furthermore, phenotypic differences between isolates were not linked to mutations in known genes but were statistically associated with distinct recombination events. We also assessed antibiotic susceptibility of all isolates. Resistance to antibiotics significantly increased when multiple isolates were mixed together. Our results highlight the significant role of recombination in generating phenotypic and genetic diversification duringin vivochronic CF infection. We also discuss (i) how these findings could influence how patient-to-patient transmission studies are performed using whole genome sequencing and (ii) the need to refine antibiotic susceptibility testing in sputum samples taken from patients with CF.
Nitrogen-doped carbon dots from plant cytoplasm as selective and sensitive fluorescent probes for detecting p-nitroaniline in both aqueous and soil systems
Authors: Yuan Haoran , Li Denian , Liu Yan , Xu Xizhe , Xiong Chuanxi
Published: January 2015

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots from plant cytoplasm revealed as highly selective and sensitive probes for detecting p-nitroaniline via a hydrogen-bonding effect.
Real-time monitoring of H2O2 release from single cells using nanoporous gold microelectrodes decorated with platinum nanoparticles
Authors: Xiao Chong , Liu Yan-Ling , Xu Jia-Quan , Lv Song-Wei , Guo Shan , Huang Wei-Hua
Published: January 2015

We present a self-supported nanoporous gold/PtNPs microelectrode with the sub-nanomolar sensitivity to detect H2O2 release from single cells.
Graphene oxide supported gold nanoclusters for the sensitive and selective detection of nitrite ions
Authors: Xu Hongda , Zhu Houjuan , Sun Mingtai , Yu Huan , Li Huihui , Ma Fang , Wang Suhua
Published: January 2015

Nitrite selectively reacts to red fluorescent gold nanoclusters supported on blue fluorescent graphene oxide sheet and leads to a ratiometric fluorescence color change.
Controlled growth of immunogold for amplified optical detection of aflatoxin B1
Authors: Wang Xu , Niessner Reinhard , Knopp Dietmar
Published: January 2015

A simple, sensitive and cost-effective method for the analysis of the mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been established based on controlled growth of immunogold.
Electroanalysis of pM-levels of urokinase plasminogen activator in serum by phosphorothioated RNA aptamer
Authors: Jarczewska Marta , Kékedy-Nagy László , Nielsen Jesper S. , Campos Rui , Kjems Jørgen , Malinowska Elżbieta , Ferapontova Elena E.
Published: January 2015

Electrochemical assay for the universal biomarker of several cancers, urokinase plasminogen activator, uPA, based on uPA-specific fluorinated RNA aptamer and methylene blue redox indicator, allows 1 pM uPA analysis in serum, making it practically useful for clinical applications.
Direct detection of histamine in fish flesh using microchip electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection
Authors: Thredgold Leigh D. , Ellis Amanda V. , Lenehan Claire E.
Published: January 2015

We demonstrate the use of microchip electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) for the direct detection of histamine in fish flesh samples.
A novel fabrication of a polymeric ionic liquid hybrid film modified electrode and its successful application to the electrogeneration of a superoxide anion in aqueous media
Authors: Nilushika Dilani , Awad Mohamed I. , Saleh Mahmoud M. , Okajima Takeyoshi , Mao Lanqun , Ohsaka Takeo
Published: January 2015

An ionene polymer-ionic liquid hybrid was fabricated by electro-oxidative polymerization of N,N-dimethylaniline in [MPP]+[N(Tf)2]−, which can be applied for the electrogeneration of a superoxide anion in aqueous media.
Flexible responsive Janus nanosheets
Authors: Liu Yijiang , Liang Fuxin , Wang Qian , Qu Xiaozhong , Yang Zhenzhong
Published: January 2015

Flexible Janus nanosheets can serve as a flexible solid emulsifier to encapsulate the desired species with single nanosheets, whose release can be pH triggered.
A modular DNA origami-based enzyme cascade nanoreactor
Authors: Linko Veikko , Eerikäinen Marika , Kostiainen Mauri A.
Published: January 2015

In this communication, we present a nanoscale reactor assembled from tuneable and spatially addressable tubular DNA origami units.
Probing post-synthetic metallation in metal–organic frameworks: insights from X-ray crystallography
Authors: Bloch Witold M. , Burgun Alexandre , Doonan Christian J. , Sumby Christopher J.
Published: January 2015

Post-synthetic metallation is a key route to modifying MOFs but as shown here the choice of solvent affects the extent of reaction and the form of the metallated product.
Bisindeno-annulated pentacenes with exceptionally high photo-stability and ordered molecular packing: simple synthesis by a regio-selective Scholl reaction
Authors: Naibi Lakshminarayana Arun , Chang Jingjing , Luo Jie , Zheng Bin , Huang Kuo-Wei , Chi Chunyan
Published: January 2015

Two bisindeno-annulated pentacenes were synthesized and they exhibited tunable solubility, high stability and ordered molecular packing.
Multi-responsive and tough hydrogels based on triblock copolymer micelles as multi-functional macro-crosslinkers
Authors: Sun Yuanna , Liu Shuang , Du Gaolai , Gao Guorong , Fu Jun
Published: January 2015

Pluronic F127 diacrylate micelle-crosslinked hydrogels are very strong, tough, and reversibly responsive to changes in pH and ionic strength.
Structural and chemical changes of Zn-doped CeO2 nanocrystals upon annealing at ultra-high temperatures
Authors: Lin Fangjian , Alxneit Ivo , Wokaun Alexander
Published: January 2015

Seemingly monophasic Zn-doped ceria nanocrystals contain substantial amounts of X-ray amorphous ZnO not detectable by standard XRD. This ZnO can be incorporated upon annealing at temperatures up to 1300 °C.
Peculiar phenomena of structural transformations triggered from a nickel coordination polymer
Authors: Kang Meng , Yang Guo-Ping , Hou Lei , Wu Wei-Ping , Wu Yun-Long , Wang Yao-Yu
Published: January 2015

Four multi-dimensional nickel-based coordination polymers have been prepared, and their solvent-mediated and solid-state structural transformations have been observed and studied systematically.
Solvent control in the formation of supramolecular host–guest complexes of isoniazid with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene
Authors: Danylyuk Oksana , Butkiewicz Helena , Coleman Anthony W. , Suwinska Kinga
Published: January 2015

The position of the anti-tuberculosis drug isoniazid inside (endo) or outside (exo) to the macrocyclic cavity of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene can be regulated by the appropriate choice of the solvent system.
A DFT study of the effect of OH groups on the optical, electronic, and structural properties of TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Miroshnichenko Olga , Auvinen Sami , Alatalo Matti
Published: January 2015

The effects of on-surface OH groups on the properties of small TiO2 particles have been studied with the DFT method. The OH groups affect the geometric and electronic structure of the clusters, resulting in changes in the optical properties.
Synthesis and characterization of an octaarginine functionalized graphene oxide nano-carrier for gene delivery applications
Authors: Imani Rana , Emami Shahriar Hojjati , Faghihi Shahab
Published: January 2015

The success of gene therapy is largely dependent on the development of a gene carrier.
The electronic structure and charge transfer excited states of the endohedral trimetallic nitride C80 (Ih) fullerenes–Zn-tetraphenyl porphyrin dyads
Authors: Basurto Luis , Amerikheirabadi Fatemeh , Zope Rajendra , Baruah Tunna
Published: January 2015

Replacing C60 or C70 by an M3N@C80 (M = Sc, Y) in co-facial dyads with ZnTPP increases charge transfer excited state energies.
Calculating nuclear magnetic resonance shieldings using systematic molecular fragmentation by annihilation
Authors: Reid David M. , Collins Michael A.
Published: January 2015

Systematic fragmentation accurately predicts theoretical chemical shieldings.
LEIS and XPS investigation into the growth of cerium and cerium dioxide on Cu(111)
Authors: Vári G. , Óvári L. , Kiss J. , Kónya Z.
Published: January 2015

CeO2 films were prepared evaporating Ce on Cu(111) in O2 gas; a nearly perfect wetting could be achieved at pO2 = 5 × 10−7 mbar.
Solvation shell resolved THz spectra of simple aqua ions – distinct distance- and frequency-dependent contributions of solvation shells
Authors: Śmiechowski Maciej , Sun Jian , Forbert Harald , Marx Dominik
Published: January 2015

Spatial decomposition schemes for infrared spectra reveal the importance of both dipolar couplings and correlations in particle motion in aqueous solutions of Na+and Cl−.
Evaluation of water displacement energetics in protein binding sites with grid cell theory
Authors: Gerogiokas G. , Southey M. W. Y. , Mazanetz M. P. , Hefeitz A. , Bodkin M. , Law R. J. , Michel J.
Published: January 2015

The grid cell theory method was used to elucidate perturbations in water network energetics in a range of protein–ligand complexes.
Coaxial Zn2GeO4@carbon nanowires directly grown on Cu foils as high-performance anodes for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Chen Weimin , Lu Liyou , Maloney Scott , Yang Ying , Wang Wenyong
Published: January 2015

Zn2GeO4@carbon nanowires directly grown on Cu foil using CVD method exhibit high reversible capacity and high-rate capability as LIB anode.
Elucidating the real-time Ag nanoparticle growth on α-Ag2WO4during electron beam irradiation: experimental evidence and theoretical insights
Authors: Pereira Wyllamanney da Silva , Andrés Juan , Gracia Lourdes , San-Miguel Miguel A. , da Silva Edison Z. , Longo Elson , Longo Valeria M.
Published: January 2015

The nucleation of Ag on α-Ag2WO4is investigated at atomic-scale by TEM and FE-SEM techniques. Ag-3 and Ag-4 centers of the (100) sub-surface are the most favorable to diffuse to form metallic Ag.
Fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensors for pyrophosphate
Authors: Lee Songyi , Yuen Karen K. Y. , Jolliffe Katrina A. , Yoon Juyoung
Published: January 2015

In this review, we will cover the fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensors developed for the detection of pyrophosphate (PPi) since 2010.
Solar thermal decomposition of desalination reject brine for carbon dioxide removal and neutralisation of ocean acidity
Authors: Davies P. A.
Published: January 2015

Desalination plants could become net absorbers (rather than net emitters) of CO2.
On the question of two-step nucleation in protein crystallization
Authors: Sauter Andrea , Roosen-Runge Felix , Zhang Fajun , Lotze Gudrun , Feoktystov Artem , Jacobs Robert M. J. , Schreiber Frank
Published: January 2015

We report a real-time study on protein crystallization in the presence of multivalent salts using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and optical microscopy, focusing particularly on the nucleation mechanism as well as on the role of the metastable intermediate phase (MIP). Using bovine beta-lactoglobulin as a model system in the presence of the divalent salt CdCl2, we have monitored the early stage of crystallization kinetics which demonstrates a two-step nucleation mechanism: protein aggregates form a MIP, which is followed by the nucleation of crystals within the MIP. Here we focus on characterizing and tuning the structure of the MIP using salt and the related effects on the two-step nucleation kinetics. The results suggest that increasing the salt concentration near the transition zonepseudo-c** enhances the energy barrier for both MIPs and crystal nucleation, leading to slow growth. The structural evolution of the MIP and its effect on subsequent nucleation is discussed based on the growth kinetics. The observed kinetics can be well described, using a rate-equation model based on a clear physical two-step picture. This real-time study not only provides evidence for a two-step nucleation process for protein crystallization, but also elucidates the role and the structural signature of the MIPs in the nonclassical process of protein crystallization.
The corrosion protection of AA2024-T3 aluminium alloy by leaching of lithium-containing salts from organic coatings
Authors: Visser Peter , Liu Yanwen , Zhou Xiaorong , Hashimoto Teruo , Thompson George E. , Lyon Stuart B. , van der Ven Leendert G. J. , Mol Arjan J. M. C. , Terryn Herman. A.
Published: January 2015

Lithium carbonate and lithium oxalate were incorporated as leachable corrosion inhibitors in model organic coatings for the protection of AA2024-T3. The coated samples were artificially damaged with a scribe. It was found that the lithium-salts are able to leach from the organic coating and form a protective layer in the scribe on AA2024-T3 under neutral salt spray conditions. The present paper shows the first observation and analysis of these corrosion protective layers, generated from lithium-salt loaded organic coatings. The scribed areas were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy before and after neutral salt spray exposure (ASTM-B117). The protective layers typically consist of three different layered regions, including a relatively dense layer near the alloy substrate, a porous middle layer and a flake-shaped outer layer, with lithium uniformly distributed throughout all three layers. Scanning electron microscopy and white light interferometry surface roughness measurements demonstrate that the formation of the layer occurs rapidly and, therefore provides an effective inhibition mechanism. Based on the observation of this work, a mechanism is proposed for the formation of these protective layers.
Identification of bulk oxide defects in an electrochemical environment
Authors: Todorova Mira , Neugebauer Jörg
Published: January 2015

We discuss how electronic-structure calculations can be used to identify the dominant point defects that control the growth and dissolution of the oxide barrier layer formed if a metal comes into contact with a corrosive environment. Using the example of the Zn/ZnO/H2O interface we develop and apply a theoretical approach that is firmly based onab initiocomputed defect formation energies and that unifies concepts of semiconductor defect chemistry with electrochemical concepts. Employing this approach we find that the commonly invoked and chemically intuitive defects such as the doubly negatively charged oxygen vacancy in electrochemically formed ZnO films may not be present. Rather, hitherto not discussed defects such as the oxygen interstitial or unexpected charge states, such as the neutral oxygen vacancy, are found. These new defect types will be shown to critically impact our understanding of fundamental corrosion mechanisms and to provide new insight into strategies to develop alloys with higher corrosion resistance.
Efficacy and safety of a dieckol-rich extract (AG-dieckol) of brown algae, Ecklonia cava, in pre-diabetic individuals: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Lee Seung-Hong , Jeon You-Jin
Published: January 2015

A dieckol-rich extract (AG-dieckol) is a promising anti-diabetic agent or pharmaceutical resource that helps to improve the quality of life for diabetic patients.
An automated programmable platform enabling multiplex dynamic stimuli delivery and cellular response monitoring for high-throughput suspension single-cell signaling studies
Authors: He Luye , Kniss Ariel , San-Miguel Adriana , Rouse Tel , Kemp Melissa L. , Lu Hang
Published: January 2015

Microfluidic platform for generating dynamic profile of cell stimuli for non-adherent cells.
A stacking flow immunoassay for the detection of dengue-specific immunoglobulins in salivary fluid
Authors: Zhang Yi , Bai Jianhao , Ying Jackie Y.
Published: January 2015

A stacking flow platform for single-step detection of a target antibody in salivary fluid with improved flow uniformity and reduced background.
Water pollutant monitoring by a whole cell array through lens-free detection on CCD
Authors: Tsai Hsieh-Fu , Tsai Yi-Ching , Yagur-Kroll Sharon , Palevsky Noa , Belkin Shimshon , Cheng Ji-Yen
Published: January 2015

This is a portable system for water contamination monitoring. Using live bacterial cells as bioreporters, we integrate temperature control, microfluidic sample introduction, bioluminescence detection, and recording software into a complete system.
Curcumin inhibits proliferation–migration of NSCLC by steering crosstalk between a Wnt signaling pathway and an adherens junction via EGR-1
Authors: Chen Qing-yong , Jiao De-min , Wang Li-feng , Wang Lishan , Hu Hui-zhen , Song Jia , Yan Jie , Wu Li-jun , Shi Jian-guo
Published: January 2015

Crosstalk between Wnt pathways and adherens junction is associated with NSCLC. Curcumin blocks cell proliferation and migration in non-small cell cancer by regulating EGR-1.
Compound signature detection on LINCS L1000 big data
Authors: Liu Chenglin , Su Jing , Yang Fei , Wei Kun , Ma Jinwen , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: January 2015

The Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular Signatures (LINCS) L1000 big data provide gene expression profiles induced by over 10 000 compounds, shRNAs, and kinase inhibitors using the L1000 platform.