bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A score test for genetic class‐level association with nonlinear biomarker trajectories
Authors: Qian Jing , Nunez Sara , Kim Soohyun , Reilly Muredach P. , Foulkes Andrea S.
Published: May 2017

Emerging data suggest that the genetic regulation of the biological response to inflammatory stress may be fundamentally different to the genetic underpinning of the homeostatic control (resting state) of the same biological measures. In this paper, we interrogate this hypothesis using a single‐SNP score test and a novel class‐level testing strategy to characterize protein‐coding gene and regulatory element‐level associations with longitudinal biomarker trajectories in response to stimulus. Using the proposed class‐level association score statistic for longitudinal data, which accounts for correlations induced by linkage disequilibrium, the genetic underpinnings of evoked dynamic changes in repeatedly measured biomarkers are investigated. The proposed method is applied to data on two biomarkers arising from the Genetics of Evoked Responses to Niacin and Endotoxemia study, a National Institutes of Health‐sponsored investigation of the genomics of inflammatory and metabolic responses during low‐grade endotoxemia. Our results suggest that the genetic basis of evoked inflammatory response is different than the genetic contributors to resting state, and several potentially novel loci are identified. A simulation study demonstrates appropriate control of type‐1 error rates, relative computational efficiency, and power. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increasing the π–π Interactions in Trinuclear NiII3 Triplesalophen Complexes
Authors: Oldengott Jan , Röhs Fridolin L. B. , Stammler Anja , Bögge Hartmut , Glaser Thorsten
Published: May 2017

The new triplesalophen ligand H6kruseBr was synthesized as a variation of the triplesalophen ligands H6baronR by replacing a phenyl by a methyl group at the terminal ketimine in order to allow closer contacts of trinuclear complexes due to less steric hindrance by the smaller methyl group. The ligand H6kruseBr was used to synthesize the trinuclear complex [(kruseBr)NiII3], which is insoluble in organic solvents despite the coordinating solvent pyridine. Recrystallization from pyridine results in the complex [(kruseBr){Ni2(Ni(py)2)}], which was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Two NiII ions are four‐coordinate by the salophen‐like subunits while the third NiII ion is six‐coordinate by two additional pyridine donors. The analysis of the molecular and crystal structure in comparison to that of NiII3 complexes of (baronR)6– reveals that the methyl group in [(kruseBr){Ni2(Ni(py)2)}] results in less ligand folding and in closer contact distance of two NiII3 complexes by π–π interactions of 3.2 Å. This indicates that trinuclear complexes of H6kruseBr are more suitable than complexes of H6baronR as molecular building blocks for the anticipated synthesis of nonanuclear single‐molecule magnets.
A New Sensor for Determination of Anionic Surfactants in Detergent Products with Carbon Nanotubes as Solid Contact
Authors: Sakač Nikola , Jozanović Marija , Karnaš Maja , Sak‐Bosnar Milan
Published: May 2017

A new solid‐state sensor for potentiometric determination of surfactants with a layer of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes was prepared. As a sensing material, 1,3‐didecyl‐2‐methylimidazolium–tetraphenylborate ion‐pair was used. The investigated sensor showed a Nernstian response for both dodecylbenzenesulphonate (DBS, 57.6 mV/decade of activity between 5 × 10−7 to 1 × 10−3 M) and sodium lauryl sulfate (LS, 58.4 mV/decade of activity between 2 × 10−7 to 2 × 10−3 M). It responded in 8–10 s for each ten‐fold concentration change in the range of 1 × 10−6 to 3 × 10−3 M. The detection limits for DS and DBS were 2 × 10−7 and 3 × 10−7 M, respectively. The sensor revealed a stable response (signal drift 2.6 mV/h) and exhibited satisfactory selectivity performances for LS over most of the anions generally used in surfactant‐based commercial detergents. The main application of this sensor was the end‐point determination in potentiometric titrations of anionic surfactants. The (diisobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl)dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (Hyamine), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, hexadecylpyridinium chloride monohydrate (HDPC) and 1,3‐didecyl‐2‐methylimidazolium chloride were tested as potential cationic titrants, and all exhibited analytically usable titration curves with well‐defined equivalence points. The standard solution of HDPC was used as a cationic titrant by all potentiometric titrations. The operational life‐time of the sensor described was prolonged to more than 3 months.
IS EVIDENCE OF EVIDENCE EVIDENCE? SCREENING-OFF VS. NO-DEFEATERS
Authors: Roche William
Published: May 2017

I argue elsewhere (Roche 2014) that evidence of evidence is evidence under screening-off. Tal and Comesaña (2017) argue that my appeal to screening-off is subject to two objections. They then propose an evidence of evidence thesis involving the notion of a defeater. There is much to learn from their very careful discussion. I argue, though, that their objections fail and that their evidence of evidence thesis is open to counterexample.
Rotations of small, inertialess triaxial ellipsoids in isotropic turbulence
Authors: Pujara Nimish , Variano Evan A.
Published: May 2017

The statistics of rotational motion of small, inertialess triaxial ellipsoids are computed along Lagrangian trajectories extracted from direct numerical simulations of homogeneous isotropic turbulence. The total particle angular velocity and its components along the three principal axes of the particle are considered, expanding on the results of Chevillard & Meneveau (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 737, 2013, pp. 571–596) who showed results of the rotation rate of the particle’s principal axes. The variance of the particle angular velocity, referred to as the particle enstrophy, is found to increase as particles become elongated, regardless of whether they are axisymmetric. This trend is explained by considering the contributions of vorticity and strain rate to particle rotation. It is found that the majority of particle enstrophy is due to fluid vorticity. Strain-rate-induced rotations, which are sensitive to shape, are mostly cancelled by strain–vorticity interactions. The remainder of the strain-rate-induced rotations are responsible for weak variations in particle enstrophy. For particles of all shapes, the majority of the enstrophy is in rotations about the longest axis, which is due to alignment between the longest axis and fluid vorticity. The integral time scale for particle angular velocities about different axes reveals that rotations are most persistent about the longest axis, but that a full revolution is rare.
Dynamics of helicity in homogeneous skew-isotropic turbulence
Authors: Briard Antoine , Gomez Thomas
Published: May 2017

The dynamics of helicity in homogeneous skew-isotropic freely decaying turbulence is investigated, at very high Reynolds numbers, thanks to a classical eddy-damped quasi-normal Markovian (EDQNM) closure. In agreement with previous direct numerical simulations, a $k^{-5/3}$ inertial range is obtained for both the kinetic energy and helical spectra. In the early stage of the decay, when kinetic energy, initially only present at large scales cascades towards small scales, it is found that helicity slightly slows down the nonlinear transfers. Then, when the turbulence is fully developed, theoretical decay exponents are derived and assessed numerically for helicity. Furthermore, it is found that the presence of helicity does not modify the decay rate of the kinetic energy with respect to purely isotropic turbulence, except in Batchelor turbulence where the kinetic energy decays slightly more rapidly. In this case, non-local expansions are used to show analytically that the permanence of the large eddies hypothesis is verified for the helical spectrum, unlike the kinetic energy one. Moreover, the $4/3$ law for the two-point helical structure function is assessed numerically at very large Reynolds numbers. Afterwards, the evolution equation of the helicity dissipation rate is investigated analytically, which provides significant simplifications and leads notably to the definition of a helical derivative skewness and of a helical Taylor scale, which is numerically very close to the classical Taylor longitudinal scale at large Reynolds numbers. Finally, when both a mean scalar gradient and helicity are combined, the quadrature spectrum, linked to the antisymmetric part of the scalar flux, appears and scales like $k^{-7/3}$ and then like $k^{-5/3}$ in the inertial range.
Related self-similar statistics of the turbulent/non-turbulent interface and the turbulence dissipation
Authors: Zhou Y. , Vassilicos J. C.
Published: May 2017

The scalings of the local entrainment velocity$v_{n}$of the turbulent/non-turbulent interface and of the turbulence dissipation rate are closely related to each other in an axisymmetric and self-similar turbulent wake. The turbulence dissipation scaling implied by the Kolmogorov equilibrium cascade phenomenology is consistent with a Kolmogorov scaling of$v_{n}$whereas the non-equilibrium dissipation scaling reported for various turbulent flows in Vassilicos (Annu. Rev. Fluid Mech., vol. 47, 2015, pp. 95–114), Dairayet al.(J. Fluid Mech., vol. 781, 2015, pp. 166–195), Goto & Vassilicos (Phys. Lett. A, vol. 379 (16), 2015, pp. 1144–1148) and Obligadoet al.(Phys. Rev. Fluids, vol. 1 (4), 2016, 044409) is consistent with a different scaling of $v_{n}$. We present results from a direct numerical simulation of a spatially developing axisymmetric and self-similar turbulent wake which supports this conclusion and the assumptions that it is based on.
A new middle Pleistocene (Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 6) cold herpetofaunal assemblage from the central Iberian Peninsula (Manzanares Valley, Madrid)
Authors: Blain Hugues-Alexandre , Rubio-Jara Susana , Panera Joaquín , Uribelarrea David , Laplana César , Herráez Esther , Pérez-González Alfredo
Published: May 2017

Middle Pleistocene sites that document glacials are relatively rare in the Iberian Peninsula, and as such, the composition of cold small-vertebrate assemblages is almost unknown in southwestern Mediterranean Europe. The archaeological site Estanque de Tormentas de Butarque H-02 in Villaverde, Madrid, in central Spain, recently attributed to Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 6, provides new data on cold small-vertebrate assemblages. Quantitative climate reconstruction and habitat weighting methods applied to the herpetofaunal assemblage reconstruct the terrestrial climatic and environmental conditions that prevailed in central Spain during the penultimate glacial (MIS 6). During MIS 6, the climate was colder (−3.0°C) and slightly wetter (+122.8 mm) than present in the study area. This confirms that temperature variations were not extreme and precipitation was sufficient in southern Mediterranean Europe for the persistence of temperate trees. Paleoenvironmental reconstruction suggests a large representation of dry environments on the overlying plateau, together with a probable corridor of humid meadows and woodlands along the river where the site is located.
Short-term effects of tourism on the behaviour of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the Azores
Authors: Cecchetti Arianna , Stockin Karen A. , Gordon Jonathan , Azevedo José M.N.
Published: May 2017

Short-term measures of behavioural responses of cetaceans to tourism operations have been used in many studies to interpret and understand potential long-term impacts of biological importance. The short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is the species most frequently observed in the Azores and constitutes an important component of the marine mammal tourism industry in this region. This study investigated the potential effects of tour boats on the behaviour of common dolphins off São Miguel, Azores, with particular focus on the changes in activity budget and the time required to resume activities after a tour boat interaction. Behavioural data were collected from land using a group focal-follow methodology. Markov chains were applied to analyse control and interaction sequences and to assess behavioural transition probabilities in both scenarios. In the presence of tour boats, dolphins significantly reduced the time spent foraging and increased the time engaged in other high energy activities. Dolphins also took significantly longer to resume feeding after an interaction occurred. The average bout length varied significantly between control and interaction scenarios, with foraging bouts being shorter during tour boats interactions. The results presented have management implications since feeding is a biologically critical activity. Disruption of foraging behaviour could lead to a decrease in energy intake for this population. With cetacean tourism likely to increase in the future, a precautionary approach to issuing new licences is advisable and any expansion would warrant an appropriate monitoring programme.
Profound Intellectual Disability and the Bestowment View of Moral Status
Authors: VEHMAS SIMO , CURTIS BENJAMIN
Published: May 2017

This article engages with debates concerning the moral worth of human beings with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMDs). Some argue that those with such disabilities are morally less valuable than so-called normal human beings, whereas others argue that all human beings have equal moral value and that, therefore, each group of humans ought to be treated with equal concern. We will argue in favor of a view that takes points from opposing camps in the debates about the moral worth of humans with such disabilities. Our position, roughly, is this: most humans with PIMDs are persons in the morally significant sense and, therefore, deserve moral consideration equal to that granted to so-called “normal” human beings. Some humans with PIMD may not be persons, but nevertheless deserve moral consideration equal to that of persons because they stand in a special relation to persons.
Impaired cardiac output during exercise in adults operated for ventricular septal defect in childhood: a hitherto unrecognised pathophysiological response
Authors: Asschenfeldt Benjamin , Heiberg Johan , Ringgaard Steffen , Maagaard Marie , Redington Andrew , Hjortdal Vibeke E.
Published: May 2017

Background

Recent studies have demonstrated that surgical ventricular septal defect closure in childhood is associated with reduced functional capacity and disruption of the right ventricular force–frequency relationship during exercise. To further describe long-term cardiac function, we performed a non-invasive assessment of cardiac index during exercise in adults having undergone surgery for ventricular septal defect in early childhood.

Methods

A total of 20 patients (surgical age 2.1±1.4 years, age at examination 22.1±2.2 years) and 20 healthy, matched controls (23.4±2.1 years at examination) underwent continuous supine bicycle ergometry during MRI. Their blood flow was recorded in the ascending aorta and the pulmonary trunk at increasing exercise levels. Cardiac index, retrograde flow, and vessel diameters were determined by blinded, post hoc analyses.

Results

The patient group had normal cardiac index at rest (2.9±0.7 L/minute/m2), which was comparable with that of the controls (3.0±0.6 L/minute/m2); however, they had a lower increase in cardiac index during exercise (reaching 7.3±1.3 L/minute/m2 at submaximal exercise) compared with controls (8.2±1.2 L/minute/m2), p<0.05. Patients had a significantly higher ascending aorta retrograde flow than controls at rest and throughout exercise. In the pulmonary artery, the retrograde flow was minimal at rest in both groups, but increased significantly in patients during exercise compared with controls.

Conclusions

Young adults with a surgically closed ventricular septal defect have a reduced cardiac index during exercise compared with healthy, young adults. The impaired cardiac index appears to be related to an increasing retrograde flow in the pulmonary artery with progressive exertion.
Federal Science Funding Drops Sharply in Trump Budget Plan
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: May 2017

Congress has shown bipartisan support for Earth and space sciences in the past. Advocates hope it will do so again.
ADAR1-mediated 3′ UTR editing and expression control of antiapoptosis genes fine-tunes cellular apoptosis response
Authors: Yang Chang-Ching , Chen Yi-Tung , Chang Yi-Feng , Liu Hsuan , Kuo Yu-Ping , Shih Chieh-Tien , Liao Wei-Chao , Chen Hui-Wen , Tsai Wen-Sy , Tan Bertrand Chin-Ming
Published: May 2017

Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing constitutes a crucial component of the cellular transcriptome and critically underpins organism survival and development. While recent high-throughput approaches have provided comprehensive documentation of the RNA editome, its functional output remains mostly unresolved, particularly for events in the non-coding regions. Gene ontology analysis of the known RNA editing targets unveiled a preponderance of genes related to apoptosis regulation, among which proto-oncogenes XIAP and MDM2 encode two the most abundantly edited transcripts. To further decode this potential functional connection, here we showed that the main RNA editor ADAR1 directly targets this 3′ UTR editing of XIAP and MDM2, and further exerts a negative regulation on the expression of their protein products. This post-transcriptional silencing role was mediated via the inverted Alu elements in the 3′ UTR but independent of alteration in transcript stability or miRNA targeting. Rather, we discovered that ADAR1 competes transcript occupancy with the RNA shuttling factor STAU1 to facilitate nuclear retention of the XIAP and MDM2 mRNAs. As a consequence, ADAR1 may acquire functionality in part by conferring spatial distribution and translation efficiency of the target transcripts. Finally, abrogation of ADAR1 expression or catalytic activity elicited a XIAP-dependent suppression of apoptotic response, whereas ectopic expression reversed this protective effect on cell death. Together, our results extended the known functions of ADAR1 and RNA editing to the critical fine-tuning of the intracellular apoptotic signaling and also provided mechanistic explanation for ADAR1’s roles in development and tumorigenesis.
Correction: Corrigendum: Novel variation at chr11p13 associated with cystic fibrosis lung disease severity
Authors: Dang Hong , Gallins Paul J , Pace Rhonda G , Guo Xue-liang , Stonebraker Jaclyn R , Corvol Harriet , Cutting Garry R , Drumm Mitchell L , Strug Lisa J , Knowles Michael R , O’Neal Wanda K
Published: May 2017

Correction to: Human Genome Variation (2016), 3, doi: 10.1038/hgv.2016.20; advance online publication 7 July 2016 After the online publication of this article, the authors noticed an error in the figure and legend of Figure 2. The correct figure should show that leftmost SNP is rs7939918. The correct Figure 2 legend statement of this article should have read in next page.
ACF7 regulates inflammatory colitis and intestinal wound response by orchestrating tight junction dynamics
Authors: Ma Yanlei , Yue Jiping , Zhang Yao , Shi Chenzhang , Odenwald Matt , Liang Wenguang G. , Wei Qing , Goel Ajay , Gou Xuewen , Zhang Jamie , Chen Shao-Yu , Tang Wei-Jen , Turner Jerrold R. , Yang Feng , Liang Hong , Qin Huanlong , Wu Xiaoyang
Published: May 2017

In the intestinal epithelium, the aberrant regulation of cell/cell junctions leads to intestinal barrier defects, which may promote the onset and enhance the severity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, it remains unclear how the coordinated behaviour of cytoskeletal network may contribute to cell junctional dynamics. In this report, we identified ACF7, a crosslinker of microtubules and F-actin, as an essential player in this process. Loss of ACF7 leads to aberrant microtubule organization, tight junction stabilization and impaired wound closure in vitro. With the mouse genetics approach, we show that ablation of ACF7 inhibits intestinal wound healing and greatly increases susceptibility to experimental colitis in mice. ACF7 level is also correlated with development and progression of ulcerative colitis (UC) in human patients. Together, our results reveal an important molecular mechanism whereby coordinated cytoskeletal dynamics contributes to cell adhesion regulation during intestinal wound repair and the development of IBD.
Nonlinear mechanics of hybrid polymer networks that mimic the complex mechanical environment of cells
Authors: Jaspers Maarten , Vaessen Sarah L. , van Schayik Pim , Voerman Dion , Rowan Alan E. , Kouwer Paul H. J.
Published: May 2017

The mechanical properties of cells and the extracellular environment they reside in are governed by a complex interplay of biopolymers. These biopolymers, which possess a wide range of stiffnesses, self-assemble into fibrous composite networks such as the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix. They interact with each other both physically and chemically to create a highly responsive and adaptive mechanical environment that stiffens when stressed or strained. Here we show that hybrid networks of a synthetic mimic of biological networks and either stiff, flexible and semi-flexible components, even very low concentrations of these added components, strongly affect the network stiffness and/or its strain-responsive character. The stiffness (persistence length) of the second network, its concentration and the interaction between the components are all parameters that can be used to tune the mechanics of the hybrids. The equivalence of these hybrids with biological composites is striking.
Transgenic hepatitis B: a new model of HBV infection
Authors: Daniel Hubert D.-J. , Torbenson Michael
Published: May 2017

Chronic hepatitis B infection (HBV) is major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Currently there is limited understanding on the cellular proteins and related molecules involved in the critical steps of viral entry into the cytoplasm and persistent viral replication in cell culture. In order to address these fundamental questions, we designed and implemented a new model of hepatitis B: infectious transgenic hepatitis B virus composed of a complete virus plus a foreign gene. The foreign gene allows identification of cells that are infected by the transgenic virus. The transgenic virus was used in a functional assay to identify cellular proteins necessary for viral replication. This assay repeatedly identified the protein UQCR10. After restoring UQCR10 levels in HepG2 and Huh7 cells, they can be infected by intact virions of transgenic hepatitis B. These results demonstrate the usefulness of this new transgenic hepatitis B model.
Transcriptome responses of Lactobacillus acetotolerans F28 to a short and long term ethanol stress
Authors: Yang Xiaopan , Teng Kunling , Zhang Jie , Wang Fangfang , Zhang Tong , Ai Guomin , Han Peijie , Bai Fengyan , Zhong Jin
Published: May 2017

Lactobacillus acetotolerans is a major microbe contributing to the Chinese liquor fermentation with unknown function. It can be grown well in a high concentration of ethanol. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on L. acetotolerans F28 growing in 12% ethanol to determine important genetic mechanisms for both a short and long term adaption to this environment. A genome-wide transcriptional analysis revealed that the most important genetic elements for L. acetotolerans F28 grown in ethanol are related to high levels of stress response and fatty acid biosynthesis, and a reduction of amino acid transport and metabolism after both a short and long time stress. The fatty acid methyl ester analyses showed that most fatty acids were increased in L. acetotolerans F28 after exposure to ethanol while the unsaturated fatty acid octadecenoic acid (C18:1) was significantly increased. The increasing unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis in L. acetotolerans F28 might enhance cell membrane fluidity and protect the cells against high concentration of ethanol. Overall, the transcriptome and functional analysis indicated that the elevated stress response and fatty acid biosynthesis, and the decrease of amino acid transport and metabolism might play important roles for L. acetotolerans F28 to adapt to environmental ethanol.
One-month spaceflight compromises the bone microstructure, tissue-level mechanical properties, osteocyte survival and lacunae volume in mature mice skeletons
Authors: Gerbaix Maude , Gnyubkin Vasily , Farlay Delphine , Olivier Cécile , Ammann Patrick , Courbon Guillaume , Laroche Norbert , Genthial Rachel , Follet Hélène , Peyrin Françoise , Shenkman Boris , Gauquelin-Koch Guillemette , Vico Laurence
Published: May 2017

The weightless environment during spaceflight induces site-specific bone loss. The 30-day Bion-M1 mission offered a unique opportunity to characterize the skeletal changes after spaceflight and an 8-day recovery period in mature male C57/BL6 mice. In the femur metaphysis, spaceflight decreased the trabecular bone volume (−64% vs. Habitat Control), dramatically increased the bone resorption (+140% vs. Habitat Control) and induced marrow adiposity invasion. At the diaphysis, cortical thinning associated with periosteal resorption was observed. In the Flight animal group, the osteocyte lacunae displayed a reduced volume and a more spherical shape (synchrotron radiation analyses), and empty lacunae were highly increased (+344% vs. Habitat Control). Tissue-level mechanical cortical properties (i.e., hardness and modulus) were locally decreased by spaceflight, whereas the mineral characteristics and collagen maturity were unaffected. In the vertebrae, spaceflight decreased the overall bone volume and altered the modulus in the periphery of the trabecular struts. Despite normalized osteoclastic activity and an increased osteoblast number, bone recovery was not observed 8 days after landing. In conclusion, spaceflight induces osteocyte death, which may trigger bone resorption and result in bone mass and microstructural deterioration. Moreover, osteocyte cell death, lacunae mineralization and fatty marrow, which are hallmarks of ageing, may impede tissue maintenance and repair.
Correction: Corrigendum: The Core Pattern Analysis on Chinese Herbal Medicine for Sjögren’s syndrome: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Authors: Chang Ching-Mao , Chu Hsueh-Ting , Wei Yau-Huei , Chen Fang-Pey , Wang Shengwen , Wu Po-Chang , Yen Hung-Rong , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Chang Hen-Hong
Published: May 2017

Scientific Reports 5: Article number: 9541; published online: 29 April 2015; updated: 25 May 2017. In this Article, Affiliation 2 is incorrectly listed as ‘Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, and Graduate Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan’.
Biodegradable injectable polymer systems exhibiting a longer and controllable duration time of the gel state
Authors: Yoshida Yasuyuki , Takai Hiroki , Kawahara Keisuke , Mitsumune Shintaro , Takata Kazuyuki , Kuzuya Akinori , Ohya Yuichi
Published: May 2017

We report biodegradable temperature-triggered covalent gelation systems exhibiting a longer and controllable duration time of the gel state by a “mixing strategy” utilizing a thiol–ene reaction.
Photochemical reactions of metal complexes in the solid state
Authors: Vittal Jagadese J. , Quah Hong Sheng
Published: May 2017

Solid-state reactivity and structural transformation in discrete metal complexes, organometallic compounds, metallo-macrocycles and cages driven by photochemical methods are discussed.
Electrocatalytic proton reduction by a model for [NiFeSe] hydrogenases
Authors: Gezer Gamze , Durán Jiménez Dinesh , Siegler Maxime A. , Bouwman Elisabeth
Published: May 2017

Electrocatalytic proton reduction was studied using [NiFe] complexes as models of [NiFeSe] hydrogenases.
Solvent-dependent selective cation exchange in anionic frameworks based on cobalt(ii) and triphenylamine linkers: reactor-dependent synthesis and sorption properties
Authors: Akintola Oluseun , Hornig David , Buchholz Axel , Görls Helmar , Plass Winfried
Published: May 2017

Two anionic cobalt(ii) MOFs were obtained dependent on the reactor design and show a solvent-dependent cation exchange leading to a remarkable increase in the surface area of post-synthetic modified materials.
Fabrication of hierarchical biomimetic polymeric nanostructured surfaces
Authors: Nowlin Kyle , LaJeunesse Dennis R.
Published: May 2017

Modification of the NSL process enables the replication and modification of the complex and often hierarchical surface topographies displayed by insect cuticles.
Unprecedented formation of 3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one in a reaction between 3,3a-dihydro-9H-furo[3,4-b]chromen-9-one and malononitrile
Authors: Liu Jie-Jie , Cheng Liang , Huang Hong-Yan , Wei Feng , Wang Dong , Liu Li
Published: May 2017

A solvent-controlled reaction of 3,3a-dihydro-9H-furo[3,4-b]chromen-9-one with malononitrile to access 3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one is described.
P–p heterojunction CuO/CuCo2O4 nanotubes synthesized via electrospinning technology for detecting n-propanol gas at room temperature
Authors: Alali Khaled Tawfik , Lu Zetong , Zhang Hongsen , Liu Jingyuan , Liu Qi , Li Rumin , Aljebawi Kassem , Wang Jun
Published: May 2017

Composite CuO/CuCo2O4 nanotubes were synthesized by electrospinning technology. The large specific surface area, complex tubular structure, and p–p heterojunction are the potential reasons for the excellent room temperature gas sensing performance toward n-propanol vapor.
Facile synthesis of ultrasmall hexagonal NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ upconversion nanocrystals through temperature oscillation
Authors: Li Dongdong , Lai Wen-Yong , Shao Qiyue , Huang Wei
Published: May 2017

A simple and efficient temperature oscillation methodology has been successfully developed to synthesize ultrasmall (10.8 nm) and uniform hexagonal NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ upconversion nanocrystals.
Multi-stimuli responsive luminescent azepane-substituted β-diketones and difluoroboron complexes
Authors: Wang Fang , DeRosa Christopher A. , Daly Margaret L. , Song Daniel , Sabat Michal , Fraser Cassandra L.
Published: May 2017

Multi-stimuli responsive properties were found for azepane-substituted β-diketones and difluoroboron complexes, including solvatochromism, viscochromism, aggregation-induced emission, mechanochromic luminescence and halochromism.
Effect of hydrogen on dislocation structure and strain-induced martensite transformation in 316L stainless steel
Authors: Bak Sang Hwan , Kim Sung Soo , Lee Dong Bok
Published: May 2017

Hydrogen forced that SIM distributed locally in a α′/γ laminated structure. Hydrogen changed dislocation structure from only cellular to planar dislocations. Hydrogen promoted strain-induced ordering and suppressed the formation of SIM.
The architecture of responsive polymeric ligands on protein binding and recovery
Authors: Liu Zizhao , Wickramasinghe S. Ranil , Qian Xianghong
Published: May 2017

Ligand design and optimization are critical for protein purification during downstream processing.
A valve-free 2D concentration gradient generator
Authors: Tian Jingxuan , Gao Yibo , Zhou Bingpu , Cao Wenbin , Wu Xiaoxiao , Wen Weijia
Published: May 2017

Our designed chip with a criss-cross 3D flow path realizes a valve-free 2D concentration gradient generator.
Strain induced quantum spin Hall insulator in monolayer β-BiSb from first-principles study
Authors: Yu Weiyang , Niu Chun-Yao , Zhu Zhili , Cai Xiaolin , Zhang Liwei , Bai Shouyan , Zhao Ruiqi , Jia Yu
Published: May 2017

Topological insulator (TI) is a peculiar phase of matter exhibiting excellent quantum transport properties with potential applications in lower-power-consuming electronic devices.
Effect of ball milling on the electrocatalytic activity of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3 towards the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Cheng X. , Fabbri E. , Kim B. , Nachtegaal M. , Schmidt T. J.
Published: May 2017

By suitable material processing, different effects could be superimposed to further improve the OER activity of BSCF.
High performance solid-state flexible supercapacitor based on Fe3O4/carbon nanotube/polyaniline ternary films
Authors: Li Jinsong , Lu Weibang , Yan Yushan , Chou Tsu-Wei
Published: May 2017

A novel flexible nanoarchitecture was fabricatedviathe facile electropolymerization of a polyaniline (PANI) network on Fe3O4particles grown axially on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of a CNT film for supercapacitor electrode applications.
Effective adsorption of Pd(ii), Pt(iv) and Au(iii) by Zr(iv)-based metal–organic frameworks from strongly acidic solutions
Authors: Lin Shuo , Kumar Reddy D. Harikishore , Bediako John Kwame , Song Myung-Hee , Wei Wei , Kim Jeong-Ae , Yun Yeoung-Sang
Published: May 2017

Zr-based MOFs effectively sorb Pd(ii), Pt(iv) and Au(iii) from highly acidic solutions through inner-sphere complexation and electrostatic interaction.
Poly(p-phenylene terephthamide) embedded in a polysulfone as the substrate for improving compaction resistance and adhesion of a thin film composite polyamide membrane
Authors: Shi Qiang , Ni Lei , Zhang Yufeng , Feng Xianshe , Chang Qiuhui , Meng Jianqiang
Published: May 2017

The compaction resistance of a substrate and the adhesion of a polyamide skin layer onto the substrate were improved by the incorporation of PPTA into the substrate.
Simultaneous improvement in the flame resistance and thermal conductivity of epoxy/Al2O3 composites by incorporating polymeric flame retardant-functionalized graphene
Authors: Feng Yuezhan , Hu Ji , Xue Yang , He Chengen , Zhou Xingping , Xie Xiaolin , Ye Yunsheng , Mai Yiu-Wing
Published: May 2017

A synergistic enhancement effect of PFR-fRGO and Al2O3 on the flame resistance and thermal conductivity of epoxy-based composites.
Multivalency as an action principle in multimodal lectin recognition and glycosidase inhibition: a paradigm shift driven by carbon-based glyconanomaterials
Authors: Ortiz Mellet Carmen , Nierengarten Jean-François , García Fernández José M.
Published: May 2017

Glyco(mimetic)-coated fullerenes and nanodiamonds are playing a decisive role in the investigation of the lectin–enzyme crosstalk behaviours elicited by (hetero)multivalency.
Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping at <32 Weeks' Gestation: Implementation and Outcomes
Authors: Bierut Tatiana , Conner Shayna , Tuuli Methodius , Vesoulis Zachary , Macones George , Cahill Alison , Rhoades Janine
Published: May 2017

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the implementation of a delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC) protocol for neonates <32 weeks. Secondarily, to evaluate the impact of DCC on maternal outcomes and on the ability to obtain umbilical cord blood gases.

Study Design Retrospective cohort study from November 2014 to March 2016 of patients delivered by 316/7 weeks. In 2014, an institutional protocol for DCC at <32 weeks was implemented. We assessed adherence to the protocol and compared adverse maternal outcomes (utilizing a hemorrhage composite). We evaluated the impact of DCC on the ability to obtain adequate umbilical cord blood gas specimens.

Results Of the 185 patients included in the study, 90 underwent DCC, and 72% of potentially eligible patients appropriately received DCC. There was no significant difference in the maternal hemorrhage composite outcome between DCC and immediate cord clamping (23.3 vs. 36.8%, adjusted odds ratio = 0.64, 95% confidence interval = 0.33, 1.26). There was also no significant difference in the ability to obtain a single or paired umbilical cord blood gas result.

Conclusion Implementation of a DCC protocol for preterm neonates is feasible and was successful. We did not find an increase in maternal risk or a decrease in the ability to obtain umbilical cord blood gases following DCC.
Vulnerable Writing as a Feminist Methodological Practice
Authors: Page Tiffany
Published: May 2017

This article discusses the possibility for vulnerable writing within feminist methodological approaches to research. Drawing upon a project that involved difficulties and tensions in conducting transnational research, including the documenting and telling of a partial narrative of an individual who set herself on fire, the article discusses what it might mean to focus more explicitly on explicating and recognising vulnerability in writing. In providing examples from working with a situated, localised analysis that engages feminist, postcolonial and queer theoretical approaches to attend to the particular and everyday, I address some of the hesitations and uncertainties in undertaking research and producing knowledge, and concerns with forms of reflexive practice. At the heart of the discussion is the question of a vulnerable ethics, of how it is possible for feminist methods to represent the lives of others, especially when stories fail in the telling, both in providing adequate explanations and in the ways that trauma and suffering can remain incommunicable. Included in this are concerns as to how we as researchers are affected within the production of research. As a form of receptivity and wounding, the article argues for vulnerable writing that challenges feminist methods to remain open and receptive to what will always resist sense-making, while continuing to respond to the demand that we do justice to the lives of others.
Feminist Disability Studies as Methodology: Life-Writing and the Abled/Disabled Binary
Authors: Simplican Stacy Clifford
Published: May 2017

What does feminist disability studies contribute to feminist methods? Feminist disability scholars interweave life-writing about their experiences of disability or caring for a disabled person to challenge ableist stereotypes. As such, they foreground their own vulnerability to build disability identity and community. This style of life-writing, while essential, tends to calcify the dichotomy between the disabled and abled—a binary that the field of feminist disability studies aims to destabilise. Building on new work in feminist disability studies, I show how some scholars use life-writing to cultivate an estranging sensitivity. This new sensitivity builds on prior feminist disability studies scholarship to estrange us from 1) the idea that disability is a cohesive identity and community, 2) that disability is always a socially desirable position, and 3) that allegiance to disability rights insulates us from ableist anxiety. By embracing the tension between solidifying and destabilising the meaning of disability, feminist disability scholars can leverage life-writing as a tool of resistance and thereby lessen the threat of conformity that life narratives tend to produce.
Feminist Online Interviewing: Engaging Issues of Power, Resistance and Reflexivity in Practice
Authors: Linabary Jasmine R. , Hamel Stephanie A.
Published: May 2017

This paper is a response to scholars who have called for exploring and interrogating new strategies of data collection and new approaches to more traditional methods, such as interviewing in the context of the internet. Drawing on feminist standpoint theory, ‘reflexive email interviewing’ is proposed as a method for feminist research. The method is illustrated using a recent case study of email interviews with self-identified women who are members of World Pulse, an online community that aims to unite and amplify women's voices worldwide. Through this case study, issues of power and resistance in the researcher/researched relationship and of participant reflexivity are interrogated. Lastly, criteria for reflexive email interviewing are proposed, including 1) strategies to interrogate and disrupt power hierarchies within the research process, 2) researcher reflexivity as a continuous part of the research process, and 3) continued invitations for participants to directly reflect on and respond to the research process. Reflexive questions are offered for researchers to use during research design and in each phase of their research process to ensure reflexivity is achieved.
Archive Fan-Fiction: Experimental Archive Research Methodologies and Feminist Epistemological Tactics
Authors: Pester Holly
Published: May 2017

This essay proposes that subcultural practices such as gossip and fan writing are feminist epistemologies that can form radical archive inquiry and knowledge production, and creative outputs. Drawing on feminist new materialism and archive theory, I develop a set of principles for practice-based research methodologies that incorporate a researcher's intersubjective relationship with archive matter (e.g. records, documents, classification systems, social-material contexts) and consider the production of knowledge from such research as forms of tabulation. Fabulation here is seen as part of a critically transgressive epistemological stance that expands feminist critiques of universalising master narratives and archive orthodoxies. My proposition, formed in part through a residency in the Woman's Art Library in London, is to name such research gestures ‘archive fanfiction’, where experimental and practice-oriented method moves with feminist politics and activism.
Sampling effort determination in bird surveys: do current norms meet best-practice recommendations?
Authors: Watson David M.
Published: May 2017

A critical design component of studies measuring diversity is sampling effort. Allocation of sampling effort dictates how many sites can be sampled within a particular time-frame or budget, as well as sample duration, frequency and intensity, thereby determining the resolution and reliability of emergent inferences. Conventional survey techniques use fixed-effort methods that assume invariant detectabilities among sites and species. Several approaches have been developed in the past decade that account for variable detectability by using alternative sampling methods or by adjusting standard counts before analysis, but it is unclear how widely adopted these techniques have been or how current bird surveying norms compare with best-practice recommendations. I conducted a systematic search of the primary literature to ascertain how sampling effort is determined, how much effort is devoted to sampling each site and how variation in detectability is dealt with. Of 225 empirical studies of bird diversity published between 2004 and 2016, five used results-based stopping rules (each derived independently), 54 used proportional sampling, and 159 (71%) used implicit effort-based stopping rules (fixed effort). Effort varied widely, but 61% of studies used samples of 10min or less and 62% of studies expended total effort per datum of 2h or less, with 78% providing no justification for sampling efforts used and just 15% explicitly accounting for estimated detectability. Given known variation in detectability, relying on short-duration fixed-effort approaches without validation or post hoc correction means that most bird diversity studies necessarily under-sample some sites and/or species. Having identified current bird surveying norms and highlighted their shortcomings, I provide five practical solutions to improve sampling effort determination, urging contributors and consumers of empirical ecological literature to consider survey data in terms of sample completeness.
Sulphide stress cracking of 17-4 PH for applications in oilfield components
Authors: Coseglio Mario Sergio Della Roverys
Published: May 2017

The precipitation-hardening stainless steel 17-4 PH is widely used for oilfield components (tubing hangers and valve stems) due to its favourable combination of high strength and corrosion resistance. In oil and gas production systems containing hydrogen sulphide (H2S), however, this material is highly susceptible to sulphide stress cracking (SSC). Numerous investigations conducted in the past decades outlined its corrosion performance and confirmed its cracking propensity. These studies indicated failures by SSC at low stress levels and highlighted the effects of the main environmental variables: partial pressure of H2S, environment pH, temperature and chloride content. This review describes a series of surface modification techniques, particularly the low-temperature plasma nitriding, which can potentially be used to prevent SSC.

This review was submitted as part of the 2017 Materials Literature Review Prize of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining run by the Editorial Board of MST. Sponsorship of the prize by TWI Ltd is gratefully acknowledged
Effects of Waste Plastic on the Physical and Rheological Properties of Bitumen
Authors: Abdullah Mohd Ezree , Ahmad Nurul Asyiqin , Jaya Ramadhansyah Putra , Hassan Norhidayah Abdul , Yaacob Haryati , Hainin Mohd Rosli
Published: May 2017

Plastic disposal is one of the major problems for developing countries like Malaysia, at the same time Malaysia needs a large network of roads for its smooth economic and social development. The limited source of bitumen needs a deep thinking to ensure fast road construction. Therefore, the use of plastic waste in road construction not only can help to protect environment but also able to help the road construction industry. The aims of this research are to study the effects of waste plastic on rheological properties of bitumen. Modified bitumen was prepared by using blending techniques. Bitumen was heated and plastic waste was slowly added. Rheological properties of bitumen were performance by penetration, softening point, viscosity and direct shear rheometer test. The results showed that when content of plastic waste increase, the penetration value, softening point and viscosity of bitumen also increase. Generally, plastic waste improves the performance of bitumen when it was added into bitumen. It can be said that the usage helps to improve the performance of the road pavement which also reduces the rutting effect.
Computational modeling of immune system of the fish for a more effective vaccination in aquaculture
Authors: Madonia Alice , Melchiorri Cristiano , Bonamano Simone , Marcelli Marco , Bulfon Chiara , Castiglione Filippo , Galeotti Marco , Volpatti Donatella , Mosca Francesco , Tiscar Pietro-Giorgio , Romano Nicla
Published: May 2017

Motivation

A computational model equipped with the main immunological features of the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) immune system was used to predict more effective vaccination in fish. The performance of the model was evaluated by using the results of two in vivo vaccinations trials against L. anguillarum and P. damselae.

Results

Tests were performed to select the appropriate doses of vaccine and infectious bacteria to set up the model. Simulation outputs were compared with the specific antibody production and the expression of BcR and TcR gene transcripts in spleen. The model has shown a good ability to be used in sea bass and could be implemented for different routes of vaccine administration even with more than two pathogens. The model confirms the suitability of in silico methods to optimize vaccine doses and the immune response to them. This model could be applied to other species to optimize the design of new vaccination treatments of fish in aquaculture.

Availability and implementation

The method is available at http://www.iac.cnr.it/∼filippo/c-immsim/

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Introduction
Authors: Balboni Michael J. , Peteet John R.
Published: May 2017

The chapter provides an introduction and outline of the book Spirituality and Religion within the Culture of Medicine. We offer a brief explanation of why there appears to be growing openness within the medical and health community toward religion and spirituality. The Chapter also includes a brief discussion concerning definitions of religion and spirituality, noting the strengths and weaknesses of retaining both constructs within research and clinical settings. The focus of the book pertains especially to medical professionals (e.g. nurses and physcians) since it is their spiritual care role that is currently disputed. Finally, we provide a preview of the remaining chapters of the book.