bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface functionalization of carbon fibers with active screen plasma
Authors: Corujeira Gallo Santiago , Charitidis Constantinos , Dong Hanshan
Published: January 2017

The active screen plasma technology was used to functionalize carbon fibers and vitreous carbon disks. The plasma treatment conditions were mapped using optical emission spectroscopy and the functionalized surfaces were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. A relationship was found between the active species in the plasma and the functional groups attached to the carbon surfaces, which provides valuable information for the optimization of the active screen plasma treatment. Moreover, the surface analyses were repeated over a period of 28 days to study the aging of the functionalized surfaces in air. The hydrophobic recovery was modeled using a surface restructuring theory which revealed a mean lifetime of 3.4 days for the functional groups.
Ser
1928
phosphorylation by PKA stimulates the L-type Ca
2+
channel Ca
V
1.2 and vasoconstriction during acute hyperglycemia and diabetes
Authors: Nystoriak Matthew A. , Nieves-Cintrón Madeline , Patriarchi Tommaso , Buonarati Olivia R. , Prada Maria Paz , Morotti Stefano , Grandi Eleonora , Fernandes Julia Dos Santos , Forbush Katherine , Hofmann Franz , Sasse Kent C. , Scott John D. , Ward Sean M. , Hell Johannes W. , Navedo Manuel F.
Published: January 2017

Targeting a protein complex that phosphorylates the calcium channel Ca
V
1.2 in arteries may prevent vascular pathologies associated with diabetes.
ERK signaling pathway regulates sleep duration through activity-induced gene expression during wakefulness
Authors: Mikhail Cyril , Vaucher Angélique , Jimenez Sonia , Tafti Mehdi
Published: January 2017

Activity-induced activation of the kinase ERK in cortical neurons increases the duration of sleep.
Lysosomes get into the action
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: January 2017

Activity-dependent lysosomal fusion with the plasma membrane stimulates dendrite remodeling.
Papers of note in
Nature
541 (7637)
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: January 2017

This week’s articles show how a phospholipase both facilitates viral entry and protects the viral genome from degradation, how tumors induce autophagy in their microenvironment to provide nutrients for tumor growth, and how lipids regulate the associations of proteins with membranes.
Harnessing innate immunity to fight neurodegeneration
Authors: Mushegian Alexandra A.
Published: January 2017

TRIM21 prevents antibody-bound tau proteins from aggregating in cells.
Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of Breakthrough Candidemia in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients in a Japanese Hospital
Authors: Kimura Muneyoshi , Araoka Hideki , Yamamoto Hisashi , Asano-Mori Yuki , Nakamura Shigeki , Yamagoe Satoshi , Ohno Hideaki , Miyazaki Yoshitsugu , Abe Masahiro , Yuasa Mitsuhiro , Kaji Daisuke , Kageyama Kosei , Nishida Aya , Ishiwata Kazuya , Takagi Shinsuke , Yamamoto Go , Uchida Naoyuki , Izutsu Koji , Wake Atsushi , Taniguchi Shuichi , Yoneyama Akiko
Published: January 2017

Few data on breakthrough candidemia (BC), defined as candidemia that develops on administration of antifungal agents (AFAs), in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) recipients are available. The medical and microbiological records of recipients of an allo-HSCT obtained between December 2008 and December 2014 were reviewed. Of 768 allo-HSCT cases, 26 developed BC. Among the 26 causative strains, 22 strains were stored and identified by sequencing. The following species were isolated:
Candida parapsilosis
(9 strains),
C. glabrata
(4 strains),
C. guilliermondii
(3 strains), and other
Candida
species (6 strains). The AFAs being used when BC developed were micafungin (17 cases), liposomal amphotericin B (5 cases), itraconazole (2 cases), and voriconazole (2 cases). All 17 cases who developed BC during micafungin administration were administered 150 mg/day of micafungin. The susceptibilities of the causative
Candida
species to the administered AFAs when breakthrough occurred ranged from susceptible to resistant. Especially, 85% of the
Candida
species that caused BC during micafungin administration were susceptible to micafungin. Additionally, 75% of the strains were wild type for susceptibility to the administered AFAs when breakthrough occurred. Systemic steroid administration and a longer severe neutropenic phase (≥5 days) were independent risk factors for BC (
P
= 0.016 and
P
= 0.015, respectively). BC developed in allo-HSCT recipients even when they received a sufficient dose of AFA, including micafungin, to which the causative
Candida
species were susceptible and/or had wild-type susceptibility
in vitro
. Systemic steroid administration and a longer severe neutropenic phase were host-based factors associated with BC.
Evolution of the Sterol Biosynthetic Pathway of Pythium insidiosum and Related Oomycetes Contributes to Antifungal Drug Resistance
Authors: Lerksuthirat Tassanee , Sangcakul Areeporn , Lohnoo Tassanee , Yingyong Wanta , Rujirawat Thidarat , Krajaejun Theerapong
Published: January 2017

Pythiosis is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by the oomycete
Pythium insidiosum
. Direct exposure to
Py. insidiosum
zoospores can initiate infections of the eye, limb, gastrointestinal tract, or skin/subcutaneous tissue. Treatments for pythiosis have mostly relied on surgery. Antifungal drugs are generally ineffective against
Py. insidiosum
. However, one patient with an invasive
Py. insidiosum
infection recovered completely following treatment with terbinafine and itraconazole. Additionally, the drug target sterol biosynthetic enzymes have been identified in the oomycete
Aphanomyces euteiches
. It remains an open question whether
Py. insidiosum
is susceptible to the antifungal drugs and harbors any of the known drug target enzymes. Here, we determined the
in vitro
susceptibilities of terbinafine and itraconazole against 30 isolates of
Py. insidiosum
. We also analyzed endogenous sterols and searched for genes encoding the sterol biosynthetic enzymes in the genomes of
Py. insidiosum
and related oomycetes. The susceptibility assay showed that the growth of each of the
Py. insidiosum
isolates was inhibited by the antifungal agents, but only at difficult-to-achieve concentrations, which explains the clinical resistance of the drugs in the treatment of pythiosis patients. Genome searches of
Py. insidiosum
and related oomycetes demonstrated that these organisms contained an incomplete set of sterol biosynthetic enzymes. Gas chromatographic mass spectrometry did not detect any sterol end products in
Py. insidiosum
. In conclusion,
Py. insidiosum
possesses an incomplete sterol biosynthetic pathway. Resistance to antifungal drugs targeting enzymes in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway in
Py. insidiosum
was due to modifications or losses of some of the genes encoding the drug target enzymes.
In Vitro
Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Candida Isolates with the EUCAST Methodology, a New Method for ECOFF Determination
Authors: Meletiadis J. , Curfs-Breuker I. , Meis J. F. , Mouton J. W.
Published: January 2017

The
in vitro
susceptibilities of 1,099 molecularly identified clinical
Candida
isolates against 8 antifungal drugs were determined using the EUCAST microdilution method. A new simple, objective, and mathematically solid method for determining epidemiological cutoff values (ECOFFs) was developed by derivatizing the MIC distribution and determining the derivatized ECOFF (dECOFF) as the highest MIC with the maximum second derivative. The dECOFFs were similar (95% agreement within 1 dilution) to the EUCAST ECOFFs. Overall, low non-wild-type/resistance rates were found. The highest rates were found for azoles with
C. parapsilosis
(2.7 to 9.8%),
C. albicans
(7%), and
C. glabrata
(1.7 to 2.3%) and for echinocandins with
C. krusei
(3.3%),
C. albicans
(1%), and
C. tropicalis
(1.7%).
Synergistic Interactions of MmpL3 Inhibitors with Antitubercular Compounds
In Vitro
Authors: Li Wei , Sanchez-Hidalgo Andrea , Jones Victoria , de Moura Vinicius Calado Nogueira , North E. Jeffrey , Jackson Mary
Published: January 2017

A number of inhibitors of the essential
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
mycolic acid transporter, MmpL3, are currently under development as potential novel antituberculosis agents. Using the checkerboard method to study the interaction profiles of various antituberculosis drugs or experimental compounds with two different chemotypes inhibiting this transporter (indolcarboxamides and adamantyl ureas), we showed that MmpL3 inhibitors act synergistically with rifampin, bedaquiline, clofazimine, and β-lactams.
Targeting Alpha Toxin To Mitigate Its Lethal Toxicity in Ferret and Rabbit Models of Staphylococcus aureus Necrotizing Pneumonia
Authors: Diep Binh An , Hilliard Jamese J. , Le Vien T. M. , Tkaczyk Christine , Le Hoan N. , Tran Vuvi G. , Rao Renee L. , Dip Etyene Castro , Pereira-Franchi Eliane P. , Cha Paulyn , Jacobson Scott , Broome Rosemary , Cheng Lily I. , Weiss William , Prokai Laszlo , Nguyen Vien , Stover C. Ken , Sellman Bret R.
Published: January 2017

The role broad-spectrum antibiotics play in the spread of antimicrobial resistance, coupled with their effect on the healthy microbiome, has led to advances in pathogen-specific approaches for the prevention or treatment of serious bacterial infections. One approach in clinical testing is passive immunization with a monoclonal antibody (MAb) targeting alpha toxin for the prevention or treatment of
Staphylococcus aureus
pneumonia. Passive immunization with the human anti-alpha toxin MAb, MEDI4893*, has been shown to improve disease outcome in murine
S. aureus
pneumonia models. The species specificity of some
S. aureus
toxins necessitates testing anti-
S. aureus
therapeutics in alternate species. We developed a necrotizing pneumonia model in ferrets and utilized an existing rabbit pneumonia model to characterize MEDI4893* protective activity in species other than mice. MEDI4893* prophylaxis reduced disease severity in ferret and rabbit pneumonia models against both community-associated methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) and hospital-associated MRSA strains. In addition, adjunctive treatment of MEDI4893* with either vancomycin or linezolid provided enhanced protection in rabbits relative to the antibiotics alone. These results confirm that MEDI4893 is a promising candidate for immunotherapy against
S. aureus
pneumonia.
Survival of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Sequence Type 258 in Human Blood
Authors: DeLeo Frank R. , Kobayashi Scott D. , Porter Adeline R. , Freedman Brett , Dorward David W. , Chen Liang , Kreiswirth Barry N.
Published: January 2017

Klebsiella pneumoniae
is a prominent cause of nosocomial infections worldwide. Bloodstream infections caused by carbapenem-resistant
K. pneumoniae
, including the epidemic lineage known as multilocus sequence type 258 (ST258), are difficult to treat, and the rate of mortality from such infections is high. Thus, it is imperative that we gain a better understanding of host defense against this pathogen as a step toward developing novel therapies. Here we tested the hypothesis that the resistance of ST258 to bactericidal components of human blood, such as serum complement, is linked to virulence capacity in the context of bacteremia. There was significant variance in the survival of ST258 clinical isolates in heparinized human blood or normal human serum. The rate of survival of ST258 isolates in human blood was, in general, similar to that in normal human serum, suggesting a prominent role for complement (rather than leukocytes) in the healthy host defense against ST258 isolates and related organisms. Indeed, deposition of serum complement—the C5b to C9 (C5b-C9) membrane attack complex—onto the surface of ST258 isolates accompanied serum bactericidal activity. Human serum treated with pharmacological inhibitors of complement, depleted of antibody, or heated at 56°C for 30 min had significantly reduced or absent bactericidal activity. In contrast to heparinized blood from humans, that from BALB/c mice lacked bactericidal activity toward the ST258 isolates tested, but the virulence of these ST258 isolates in a mouse bacteremia model was inexplicably limited. Our data highlight the importance of the complement system in host defense against ST258 bacteremia, and we propose that there is the potential to enhance complement-mediated bactericidal activity using an antibody-based approach.
Fluorescent Lead(IV) Sulfide Nanoparticles Synthesized by Idiomarina sp. Strain PR58-8 for Bioimaging Applications
Authors: Srivastava Pallavee , Kowshik Meenal
Published: January 2017

The fabrication of nanoparticles by microorganisms presents a “green” method for generating biocompatible nanomaterials. We discovered the intracellular biosynthesis of fluorescent lead(IV) sulfide nanoparticles by the moderate halophile,
Idiomarina
sp. strain PR58-8. The bacterium tolerated up to 8 mM Pb(NO
3
)
2
during growth. Non-protein thiols dose-dependently increased in response to metal exposure, which suggests they are involved in the growth of PbS
2
crystals and lead detoxification. Using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays, the nanoparticles were characterized as spherical β-PbS
2
nanoparticles (PbS
2
NPs) with a tetragonal crystal lattice, a crystallite domain size of 2.38 nm, and an interplanar distance of 0.318 nm. A narrow symmetric emission spectrum with a Gaussian distribution and an emission maximum at 386 nm was obtained when the particles were excited at 570 nm. The PbS
2
NPs exhibited a large Stokes' shift (8,362 cm
−1
) and a relatively high quantum yield (67%). These properties, along with fluorescence that was maintained in various microenvironments and their biocompatibility, make these nanoparticles excellent candidates for bioimaging. The particles were internalized by HeLa cells and evenly distributed within the cytoplasm, exhibiting their potential for
in situ
bioimaging applications. The “as-synthesized” lead(IV) sulfide nanoparticles may provide expanded opportunities for targeted bioimaging via modifying the surface of the particles.

IMPORTANCE
This article reports the intracellular synthesis of fluorescent lead(IV) sulfide nanoparticles (PbS
2
NPs) by a microorganism. All previous reports on the microbial synthesis of lead-based nanoparticles are on lead(II) sulfide that exhibits near-infrared fluorescence, requiring expensive instrumentation for bioimaging. Bioimaging using PbS
2
NPs can be achieved using routine epifluorescence microscopes, as it fluoresces in the visible range. The research on PbS
2
nanoparticles to date is on their chemical synthesis employing toxic precursors, extreme pH, pressure, and temperature, resulting in cytotoxic products. In this context, the synthesis of PbS
2
nanoparticles by
Idiomarina
sp. strain PR58-8, described in this work, occurs at ambient temperature and pressure and results in the generation of biocompatible nanoparticles with no hazardous by-products. The excellent fluorescence properties that these particles exhibit, as well as their abilities to easily penetrate the cells and evenly distribute within the cytoplasm, make them exceptional candidates for bioimaging applications. This study demonstrated the synthesis and fluorescence bioimaging application of microbially synthesized PbS
2
nanoparticles.
Characterization of T Cells Specific for CFP-10 and ESAT-6 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Infected Mauritian Cynomolgus Macaques
Authors: Ellis Amy , Balgeman Alexis , Rodgers Mark , Updike Cassaundra , Tomko Jaime , Maiello Pauline , Scanga Charles A. , O'Connor Shelby L.
Published: January 2017

Nonhuman primates can be used to study host immune responses toMycobacterium tuberculosis. Mauritian cynomolgus macaques (MCMs) are a unique group of animals that have limited major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genetic diversity, such that MHC-identical animals can be infected withM. tuberculosis. Two MCMs homozygous for the relatively common M1 MHC haplotype were bronchoscopically infected with 41 CFU of theM. tuberculosisErdman strain. Four other MCMs, which had at least one copy of the M1 MHC haplotype, were infected with a lower dose of 3 CFUM. tuberculosis. All animals mounted similar T-cell responses to CFP-10 and ESAT-6. Two epitopes in CFP-10 were characterized, and the MHC class II alleles restricting them were determined. A third epitope in CFP-10 was identified but exhibited promiscuous restriction. The CFP-10 and ESAT-6 antigenic regions targeted by T cells in MCMs were comparable to those seen in cases of humanM. tuberculosisinfection. Our data lay the foundation for generating tetrameric molecules to study epitope-specific CD4 T cells inM. tuberculosis-infected MCMs, which may guide future testing of tuberculosis vaccines in nonhuman primates.
The Fatty Acid Regulator FadR Influences the Expression of the Virulence Cascade in the El Tor Biotype of Vibrio cholerae by Modulating the Levels of ToxT via Two Different Mechanisms
Authors: Kovacikova Gabriela , Lin Wei , Taylor Ronald K. , Skorupski Karen
Published: January 2017

FadR is a master regulator of fatty acid (FA) metabolism that coordinates the pathways of FA degradation and biosynthesis in enteric bacteria. We show here that a Δ
fadR
mutation in the El Tor biotype of
Vibrio cholerae
prevents the expression of the virulence cascade by influencing both the transcription and the posttranslational regulation of the master virulence regulator ToxT. FadR is a transcriptional regulator that represses the expression of genes involved in FA degradation, activates the expression of genes involved in unsaturated FA (UFA) biosynthesis, and also activates the expression of two operons involved in saturated FA (SFA) biosynthesis. Since FadR does not bind directly to the
toxT
promoter, we determined whether the regulation of any of its target genes indirectly influenced ToxT. This was accomplished by individually inserting a double point mutation into the FadR-binding site in the promoter of each target gene, thereby preventing their activation or repression. Although preventing FadR-mediated activation of
fabA
, which encodes the enzyme that carries out the first step in UFA biosynthesis, did not significantly influence either the transcription or the translation of ToxT, it reduced its levels and prevented virulence gene expression. In the mutant strain unable to carry out FadR-mediated activation of
fabA
, expressing
fabA
ectopically restored the levels of ToxT and virulence gene expression. Taken together, the results presented here indicate that
V. cholerae
FadR influences the virulence cascade in the El Tor biotype by modulating the levels of ToxT via two different mechanisms.

IMPORTANCE
Fatty acids (FAs) play important roles in membrane lipid homeostasis and energy metabolism in all organisms. In
Vibrio cholerae
, the causative agent of the acute intestinal disease cholera, they also influence virulence by binding into an N-terminal pocket of the master virulence regulator, ToxT, and modulating its activity. FadR is a transcription factor that coordinately controls the pathways of FA degradation and biosynthesis in enteric bacteria. This study identifies a new link between FA metabolism and virulence in the El Tor biotype by showing that FadR influences both the transcription and posttranslational regulation of the master virulence regulator ToxT by two distinct mechanisms.
Recurrent hierarchical patterns and the fractal distribution of fossil localities
Authors: Plotnick Roy E.
Published: January 2017

Understanding the spatial structure of fossil localities is critical for interpreting Earth system processes based on their geographic distribution. Coordinates of marine and terrestrial sites in the conterminous United States for 17 time bins were analyzed using point pattern statistics. Lacunarity analysis shows that the spatial distributions of sites are fractal for almost every studied interval, indicating that clumping of localities occurs at multiple scales. Random hierarchical multiplicative processes provide a theoretical null model for the distribution of collecting sites, consistent with their occurrence being a complex product of numerous biological, geological, and anthropogenic processes acting at many spatial and temporal scales. Mechanistic models for the formation, preservation, and exposure of fossil localities and other geologic entities can be tested using point pattern and related spatial statistics.
Protocol of a randomised controlled, open-label trial of ex vivo normothermic perfusion versus static cold storage in donation after circulatory death renal transplantation
Authors: Hosgood Sarah A , Saeb-Parsy Kourosh , Wilson Colin , Callaghan Christopher , Collett Dave , Nicholson Michael L
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Ex vivo normothermic perfusion (EVNP) is a novel technique that reconditions the kidney and restores renal function prior to transplantation. Phase I data from a series of EVNP in extended criteria donor kidneys have established the safety and feasibility of the technique in clinical practice.

Methods and analysis

This is a UK-based phase II multicentre randomised controlled trial to assess the efficacy of EVNP compared with the conventional static cold storage technique in donation after circulatory death (DCD) kidney transplantation. 400 patients receiving a kidney from a DCD donor (categories III and IV, controlled) will be recruited into the study. On arrival at the transplant centre, kidneys will be randomised to receive either EVNP (n=200) or remain in static cold storage (n=200). Kidneys undergoing EVNP will be perfused with an oxygenated packed red cell solution at near body temperature for 60 min prior to transplantation. The primary outcome measure will be determined by rates of delayed graft function (DGF) defined as the need for dialysis in the first week post-transplant. Secondary outcome measures include incidences of primary non-function, the duration of DGF, functional DGF defined as <10% fall in serum creatinine for 3 consecutive days in the first week post-transplant, creatinine reduction ratio days 2 and 5, length of hospital stay, rates of biopsy-proven acute rejection, serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-transplant and patient and allograft survival. The EVNP assessment score will be recorded and the level of fibrosis and inflammation will also be measured using tissue, blood and urine samples. Ethics and dissemination. The study has been approved by the National Health Service (NHS) Health Research Authority Research Ethics Committee. The results are expected to be published in 2020.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN15821205; Pre-results.
E-therapies in England for stress, anxiety or depression: what is being used in the NHS? A survey of mental health services
Authors: Bennion M R , Hardy G , Moore R K , Millings A
Published: January 2017

Objective

To document the range of web and smartphone apps used and recommended for stress, anxiety or depression by the National Health Service (NHS) in England.

Design

The study was conducted using Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and systematic website searches.

Data sources

Data were collected via FOI requests to NHS services between 13 February 2015 and 31 March 2015, and searches conducted on NHS apps library websites between 26 March 2015 and 2 November 2015.

Data collection/extraction methods

Data were compiled from responses to: (1) FOI requests sent to all Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services and NHS Mental Health Trusts in England and (2) NHS apps library search results.

Results

A total of 61 (54.95%) out of the then 111 IAPT service providers responded, accounting for 191 IAPT services, and all 51 of the then NHS Mental Health Trusts responded. The results were that 13 different web apps and 35 different smartphone apps for depression, anxiety or stress were available through either referral services or the online NHS Apps Libraries. The apps used and recommended vary by area and by point of access (online library/IAPT/trust).

Conclusions

Future research is required to establish the evidence base for the apps that are being used in the NHS in England. There is a need for service provision to be based on evidence and established guidelines.
The influence of genetic polymorphisms on performance and cardiac and hemodynamic parameters among Brazilian soccer players
Authors: Dionísio Thiago José , Thiengo Carlos Rogério , Brozoski Daniel Thomas , Dionísio Evandro José , Talamoni Guilherme Augusto , Silva Roberto Braga , Garlet Gustavo Pompermaier , Santos Carlos Ferreira , Amaral Sandra Lia
Published: January 2017

This study investigated whether ACTN3 R577X, AMPD1 C34T, I/D ACE, and M235T AGT polymorphisms can affect performance tests such as jumping, sprinting, and endurance in 220 young male athletes from professional minor league soccer team from São Paulo Futebol Clube, Brazil. I/D ACE and M235T AGT polymorphisms were also analyzed according to cardiac and hemodynamic parameters. Athletes were grouped or not by age. DNA from saliva and Taqman assays were used for genotyping 220 athletes and the results were associated with performance tests. Ventricle mass, ventricle end-diastolic diameter, end-diastolic volume, and ejection fraction were assessed by echocardiogram. Arterial pressure, heart rate, and oximetry were assessed by a cardioscope. The main results of this study were that athletes who carried RR/RX (ACTN3) and DD (ACE) genotypes presented better performance during jump and sprint tests. On the other hand, athletes with ID/II genotype presented better results during endurance test, while AGT genotypes did not seem to favor the athletes during the evaluated physical tests. CC genotype (AMPD1) only favored the athletes during 10-m sprint test. Although there are environmental interactions influencing performance, the present results suggest that RR/RX ACTN3 and ACE DD genotypes may benefit athletes in activities that require strength and speed, while II ACE genotype may benefit athletes in endurance activities. This information could help coaches to plan the training session to improve the athletes’ performance.
Electrochemical detection of chlorpheniramine maleate in the presence of an anionic surfactant and its analytical applications
Authors: Shetti Nagaraj , Nayak Deepti
Published: January 2017

Improvement of methods for the detection of an analyte at a low concentration with high sensitivity has become an important point of interest. An effort has been made to know the electrochemical behavior of chlorpheniramine maleate in the presence of an anionic surfactant. Voltammograms were obtained in the range of 6.0–11.2 pH, and the maximum peak current (IP) was observed at pH 10.4. Various physicochemical parameters were estimated, including the process on the surface of the electrode, which was found to be diffusion controlled, heterogeneous rate constant, number of electrons transferred, and charge transfer coefficient. Square wave voltammetry of chlorpheniramine maleate at the modified electrode exhibited a linear calibration curve in the concentration range of 1.0–100 μmol/L, with a limit of detection of 28 nmol/L. The proposed technique was successfully used for the determination of chlorpheniramine maleate in pharmaceuticals, as well as in biological samples.
Effects of several in-feed antibiotic combinations on the abundance and diversity of fecal microbes in weaned pigs
Authors: Li Huizhi , Liang Tingting , Chu Qingpo , Xu Feilong , Li Yuan , Fu Lingling , Zhou Bo
Published: January 2017

To characterize the effects of several subtherapeutic antibiotic combinations on the abundance and diversity of fecal microbes, 400 weaned pigs were selected and randomly assigned to 8 groups, where they were continuously fed different antibiotic combinations for 28 days. Then, a total of 48 pigs were randomly selected to collect feces samples for DNA extraction and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Compared with that of pigs without antibiotic administration, the diversities of fecal microbes were decreased in the pigs fed chlortetracycline (CTC), olaquindox (OLA), and either enramycin (ER) or virginiamycin (VIR), and the relative abundances of members of the phylum Bacteroidetes and the genus Prevotella were increased. Compared with that of pigs without antibiotic administration, the relative abundances of members of the phylum Proteobacteria and the genus Succinivibrio were decreased in the pigs fed CTC, a mixture of zinc bacitracin (ZB) + colistin sulfate (COL), a mixture of CTC+ZB+COL, a mixture of CTC+OLA, or a mixture of CTC+OLA+ER. α-Diversity and β-diversity were decreased (P < 0.05) in the pigs fed ZB+COL or a mixture of CTC+OLA+ER or CTC+OLA+VIR. This study provides experimental data to deepen our understanding on the effects of antibiotic combinations on intestinal microbes.
A summary of results obtained with the cryogenic electrostatic storage ring DESIREE
Authors: Zettergren H.
Published: January 2017

This paper highlights results from recent studies of cryogenically cooled atomic and molecular anions carried out at the DESIREE storage ring facility at Stockholm University in Stockholm, Sweden. These results include measurements of lifetimes of excited metastable states in atomic anions (S−, Se−, Te−, Ni−, and Pt−), pilot studies of rotational cooling of OH−, and cooling and decay of cluster anions exemplified by results for Ag5−.
Automata with Auxiliary Weights
Authors: Kostolányi Peter , Rovan Branislav
Published: January 2017

We introduce a new generalization of weighted automata – automata with auxiliary weights. They allow to compute several quantities not directly computable over semirings by generalizing both semiring addition and semiring multiplication. Moreover, our automata retain key properties of ordinary weighted automata. We prove that automata over multi-hemirings of Droste and Kuich [7] can be modelled using our framework, and that automata with auxiliary weights can be used to describe several additional settings. Finally, we introduce rational expressions with auxiliary weights and prove that they are equivalent to our automata.
Forums-Oriented Research on the Spreading and Inhibition of Rumors
Authors: Xu Hui-Jie , Cai Wan-Dong , Chen Gui-Rong
Published: January 2017

A rumor spreading model for the web forums based on the heterogeneity of the web forum user behaviors and SEIR model is proposed in this paper. First, according to the meanfield equations of the model on inhomogeneous networks, the critical threshold of the spreading of rumor is deduced; Then the simulation and numerical analysis of the model itself and the influences of trust mechanism to the model are given, which verify the validity of the model and the introduction of trust mechanism can effectively reduce the rumor influence, the velocity of rumor spreading and the rumor size; Finally, combined with the previous conclusions and the high-influence limited trust relationships between the web forum users, a high-influence immunization algorithm is given. The experimental results show that the algorithm able to reach better effect than traditional immunization algorithm.
2-Adic Complexity of Two Classes of Generalized Cyclotomic Binary Sequences
Authors: Xiao Zibi , Zeng Xiangyong , Sun Zhimin
Published: January 2017

In this paper, 2-adic complexity of two classes of generalized cyclotomic binary sequences is investigated. The sequences in the first class have period p(p+4), and their 2-adic complexity attains the maximum, where both p and p+4 are primes, and gcd(p−1,p+3)=2. The sequences in the second one have period p2, and their 2-adic complexity also reaches the maximum if p is an odd prime with p≡5,19 (mod 24).
Poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag Nanocomposite as Humidity Sensor
Authors: Pande Nishigandh S. , Jaspal Dipika , Ambekar Jalindar
Published: January 2017

Poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag organic–inorganic composite has been synthesized by a single step in situ chemical oxidative polymerization method. The synthesis of Poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag nanocomposite has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet-Vis Spectroscopy (UV-visible), Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) and FE-SEM investigations. XRD spectral study exhibited major diffraction in the range 20–80[Formula: see text] (2[Formula: see text]) and indicated the semicrystalline nature of poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag nanocomposite. Characteristic peaks in UV-visible and FTIR spectra of poly (N-ethyl aniline) switched to higher wave numbers in poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag nanocomposite. Peaks at 1789[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], 1595[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], 667[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] and 501[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] in FTIR spectrum confirmed the formation of poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag nanocomposite. FE-SEM photographs reported agglomerated granular particulate nature of poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag nanocomposite. Synthesized poly (N-ethyl aniline)/Ag nanocomposite exhibited a high response to humidity, good reproducibility and stability at room temperature. An appreciable response was shown in the presence of 40% humid atmosphere for up to successive four cycles. Composite sensitivity has been found to increase with the increasing concentration of humidity, at room temperature.
Synthesis and Structural Characterization of CdFe2O4 Nanostructures
Authors: Kalpanadevi K. , Sinduja C. R. , Manimekalai R.
Published: January 2017

The synthesis of CdFe2O4 nanoparticles has been achieved by a simple thermal decomposition method from the inorganic precursor, [CdFe2(cin)3(N2H[Formula: see text]], which was obtained by a simple precipitation method from the corresponding metal salts, cinnamic acid and hydrazine hydrate. The precursor was characterized by hydrazine and metal analyses, infrared spectral analysis and thermo gravimetric analysis. On appropriate annealing, [CdFe2(cin)3(N2H[Formula: see text]] yielded CdFe2O4 nanoparticles. The XRD studies showed that the crystallite size of the particles was 13[Formula: see text]nm. The results of HRTEM studies also agreed well with those of XRD. SAED pattern of the sample established the polycrystalline nature of the nanoparticles. SEM images displayed a random distribution of grains in the sample.
Chiral SWCNT for Ammonia Sensor Application
Authors: Geetha R. , Gayathri V.
Published: January 2017

Gas adsorption in carbon nanotubes is an interesting issue as it affects both the electrical and chemical properties of nanotubes. This effect can be exploited for designing different types of nanosensors. In this paper, chiral carbon nanotubes of different diameters and chiral angle have been considered to investigate the effect of chirality on the sensing capability of single walled carbon nanotubes. Here, the adsorption binding energy of ammonia has been estimated in each tube of varying dimension. The electrical conductivity change and sensitivity of nanotube due to ammonia adsorption has also been calculated. The results are compared with that of achiral tubes of same size. Based on the observations, it has been concluded that (8,3) chiral carbon nanotube is more suitable for ammonia sensor application.
Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticle and its Application in Catalytic Hydrolysis of p-Acetoxynitrobenzene
Authors: Arora Avnish Kumar , Kumar Pankaj , Kumar Sanjeev
Published: January 2017

Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticle and the hydrolysis of p-Acetoxynitrobenzene to p-Nitrophenol (p-NP) under aqueous phase conditions in the presence of ZnO nanoparticle has been carried out. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) are prepared by using simple precipitation method. Ammonia is used as a precipitating agent and ZnCl[Formula: see text]H2O as a starting material. The obtained ZnO NPs are characterized by using different techniques namely XRD, TGA/DTA, TEM, FT-IR, magnetic measurements and BET surface area analysis. ZnO NPs are evaluated for their catalytic properties in hydrolysis of p-Acetoxynitrobenzene to p-Nitrophenol (p-NP) under aqueous phase conditions. The effect of temperature and concentration has also been studied for the catalytic hydrolysis. This is to emphasize that the method used to synthesize these NPs is much simple and fiscal. The obtained ZnO NPs work as a good catalyst for the above conversion and are of low cost and easy to synthesize.
On the Electrical Conductivity of Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(Styrenesulfonate) Thin Films
Authors: Bhatia Ravi , Kumari Kiran , Gandhi Ramandeep
Published: January 2017

Prominent enhancement in the room temperature electrical conductivity of spin-coated poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thin films has been achieved after treatment with various acids. The conductivity of PEDOT:PSS films could be enhanced from 0.6[Formula: see text]S/cm to over 3300[Formula: see text]S/cm after treatment with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid i.e., by a factor of 5500. It is noteworthy that the conductivity enhancement is nonmonotonic with respect to acid concentration i.e., the magnitude of increase in the conductivity exhibited a strong dependence over the molarity of acids. The possible reason of the conductivity enhancement is the improvement of nanoscale connectivity between the conducting PEDOT chains after acid treatment that results in highly conductive film. The improvement in the nanoscale connectivity is caused due to the loss of PSS from the PEDOT:PSS films after acid treatment that is confirmed through atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Template-Method Synthesis of High-Surface-Area Monolithic Carbon Aerogels and Their Applications for Hydrogen and Deuterium Adsorption
Authors: Chen Bowei , Wang Xiaojun , Zhu Jiayi , Bi Yutie , Luo Xuan , Zhang Lin
Published: January 2017

In this work, novel monolithic carbon aerogels obtained by using a polymer template method were characterized and evaluated for their applications in the hydrogen and deuterium adsorption capacity. The properties (i.e., surface area, pore size distribution, hydrogen and deuterium adsorption capacities, etc.) of the carbon aerogels were affected by the polymer templates. The results showed that the carbon aerogel with the molar ratio of polyacrylic acid (PAA) to zinc chloride (ZnCl2) being 0.75:40 was featured the highest surface area (1806 m2/g) and had the highest hydrogen adsorption capacity. Moreover, the deuterium adsorption capacity of the carbon aerogel was to be further elucidated.
Qualitative Stability Analysis of an Obesity Epidemic Model with Social Contagion
Authors: Lozano-Ochoa Enrique , Camacho Jorge Fernando , Vargas-De-León Cruz
Published: January 2017

We study an epidemiological mathematical model formulated in terms of an ODE system taking into account both social and nonsocial contagion risks of obesity. Analyzing first the case in which the model presents only the effect due to social contagion and using qualitative methods of the stability analysis, we prove that such system has at the most three equilibrium points, one disease-free equilibrium and two endemic equilibria, and also that it has no periodic orbits. Particularly, we found that when considering R0 (the basic reproductive number) as a parameter, the system exhibits a backward bifurcation: the disease-free equilibrium is stable when R0<1 and unstable when R0>1, whereas the two endemic equilibria appear from R0⁎ (a specific positive value reached by R0 and less than unity), one being asymptotically stable and the other unstable, but for R0>1 values, only the former remains inside the feasible region. On the other hand, considering social and nonsocial contagion and following the same methodology, we found that the dynamic of the model is simpler than that described above: it has a unique endemic equilibrium point that is globally asymptotically stable.
Thermodynamics of the Schwarzschild-AdS Black Hole with a Minimal Length
Authors: Miao Yan-Gang , Wu Yu-Mei
Published: January 2017

Using the mass-smeared scheme of black holes, we study the thermodynamics of black holes. Two interesting models are considered. One is the self-regular Schwarzschild-AdS black hole whose mass density is given by the analogue to probability densities of quantum hydrogen atoms. The other model is the same black hole but whose mass density is chosen to be a rational fractional function of radial coordinates. Both mass densities are in fact analytic expressions of the δ-function. We analyze the phase structures of the two models by investigating the heat capacity at constant pressure and the Gibbs free energy in an isothermal-isobaric ensemble. Both models fail to decay into the pure thermal radiation even with the positive Gibbs free energy due to the existence of a minimal length. Furthermore, we extend our analysis to a general mass-smeared form that is also associated with the δ-function and indicate the similar thermodynamic properties for various possible mass-smeared forms based on the δ-function.
Feature Extraction and Fusion Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks for Face Detection
Authors: Lu Xiaojun , Duan Xu , Mao Xiuping , Li Yuanyuan , Zhang Xiangde
Published: January 2017

This paper proposes a method that uses feature fusion to represent images better for face detection after feature extraction by deep convolutional neural network (DCNN). First, with Clarifai net and VGG Net‐D (16 layers), we learn features from data, respectively; then we fuse features extracted from the two nets. To obtain more compact feature representation and mitigate computation complexity, we reduce the dimension of the fused features by PCA. Finally, we conduct face classification by SVM classifier for binary classification. In particular, we exploit offset max‐pooling to extract features with sliding window densely, which leads to better matches of faces and detection windows; thus the detection result is more accurate. Experimental results show that our method can detect faces with severe occlusion and large variations in pose and scale. In particular, our method achieves 89.24% recall rate on FDDB and 97.19% average precision on AFW.
Aspalatone Prevents VEGF‐Induced Lipid Peroxidation, Migration, Tube Formation, and Dysfunction of Human Aortic Endothelial Cells
Authors: Sonowal Himangshu , Pal Pabitra B. , Shukla Kirtikar , Ramana Kota V.
Published: January 2017

Although aspalatone (acetylsalicylic acid maltol ester) is recognized as an antithrombotic agent with antioxidative and antiplatelet potential; its efficacy in preventing endothelial dysfunction is not known. In this study, we examined the antiangiogenic, antioxidative, and anti‐inflammatory effect of aspalatone in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Specifically, the effect of aspalatone on VEGF‐induced HAECs growth, migration, tube formation, and levels of lipid peroxidation‐derived malondialdehyde (MDA) was examined. Our results indicate that the treatment of HAECs with aspalatone decreased VEGF‐induced cell migration, tube formation, and levels of MDA. Aspalatone also inhibited VEGF‐induced decrease in the expression of eNOS and increase in the expression of iNOS, ICAM‐1, and VCAM‐1. Aspalatone also prevented the VEGF‐induced adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells. Furthermore, aspalatone also prevented VEGF‐induced release of inflammatory markers such as Angiopoietin‐2, Leptin, EGF, G‐CSF, HB‐EGF, and HGF in HAECs. Thus, our results suggest that aspalatone could be used to prevent endothelial dysfunction, an important process in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases.
Are CT Scans a Satisfactory Substitute for the Follow-Up of RSA Migration Studies of Uncemented Cups? A Comparison of RSA Double Examinations and CT Datasets of 46 Total Hip Arthroplasties
Authors: Otten Volker , Maguire Jr. Gerald Q. , Noz Marilyn E. , Zeleznik Michael P. , Nilsson Kjell G. , Olivecrona Henrik
Published: January 2017

As part of the 14-year follow-up of a prospectively randomized radiostereometry (RSA) study on uncemented cup fixation, two pairs of stereo radiographs and a CT scan of 46 hips were compared. Tantalum beads, inserted during the primary operation, were detected in the CT volume and the stereo radiographs and used to produce datasets of 3D coordinates. The limit of agreement between the combined CT and RSA datasets was calculated in the same way as the precision of the double RSA examination. The precision of RSA corresponding to the 99% confidence interval was 1.36°, 1.36°, and 0.60° forX-,Y-, andZ-rotation and 0.40, 0.17, and 0.37 mm forX-,Y-, andZ-translation. The limit of agreement between CT and RSA was 1.51°, 2.17°, and 1.05° for rotation and 0.59, 0.56, and 0.74 mm for translation. The differences between CT and RSA are close to the described normal 99% confidence interval for precision in RSA: 0.3° to 2° for rotation and 0.15 to 0.6 mm for translation. We conclude that measurements using CT and RSA are comparable and that CT can be used for migration studies for longitudinal evaluations of patients with RSA markers.
Time and Covariance Threshold Triggered Optimal Uncooperative Rendezvous Using Angles-Only Navigation
Authors: You Yue , Wang Hua , Paccolat Christophe , Gass Volker , Thiran Jean-Philippe , Li Jiu Ren
Published: January 2017

A time and covariance threshold triggered optimal maneuver planning method is proposed for orbital rendezvous using angles-only navigation (AON). In the context of Yamanaka-Ankersen orbital relative motion equations, the square root unscented Kalman filter (SRUKF) AON algorithm is developed to compute the relative state estimations from a low-volume/mass, power saving, and low-cost optical/infrared camera’s observations. Multi-impulsive Hill guidance law is employed in closed-loop linear covariance analysis model, based on which the quantitative relative position robustness and relative velocity robustness index are defined. By balancing fuel consumption, relative position robustness, and relative velocity robustness, we developed a time and covariance threshold triggered two-level optimal maneuver planning method, showing how these results correlate to past methods and missions and how they could potentially influence future ones. Numerical simulation proved that it is feasible to control the spacecraft with a two-line element- (TLE-) level uncertain, 34.6% of range, initial relative state to a 100 m v-bar relative station keeping point, at where the trajectory dispersion reduces to 3.5% of range, under a 30% data gap per revolution on account of the eclipse. Comparing with the traditional time triggered maneuver planning method, the final relative position accuracy is improved by one order and the relative trajectory robustness and collision probability are obviously improved and reduced, respectively.