bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel biliary stent coated with silver nanoparticles prolongs the unobstructed period and survival via anti-bacterial activity
Authors: Yang Fuchun , Ren Zhigang , Chai Qinming , Cui Guangying , Jiang Li , Chen Hanjian , Feng Zhiying , Chen Xinhua , Ji Jian , Zhou Lin , Wang Weilin , Zheng Shusen
Published: February 2016

Symptomatic biliary stricture causes life-threatening complications, such as jaundice, recurrent cholangitis and secondary biliary cirrhosis. Fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMSs) are gaining acceptance for treatments of benign biliary stricture and palliative management of malignant biliary obstructions. However, the high rate of FCSEMS obstruction limits their clinic use. In this study, we developed a novel biliary stent coated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and investigated its efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. We first identified properties of the AgNP complex using ultraviolet detection. The AgNP complex was stable without AgNP agglomeration and Ag abundance was correspondingly increased with an increased bilayer number. The AgNP biliary stent demonstrated good performance in the spin-assembly method based on topographic observation. The AgNP biliary stent also exhibited a long-term anti-coagulation effect and a slow process of Ag+ release. In vitro anti-bacteria experiments indicated that the AgNP biliary stent exhibited high-efficiency anti-bacterial activity for both short- and long-term periods. Importantly, application of the AgNP biliary stent significantly prolonged the unobstructed period of the biliary system and improved survival in preclinical studies as a result of its anti-microbial activity and decreased granular tissue formation on the surface of the anastomotic biliary, providing a novel and effective treatment strategy for symptomatic biliary strictures.
Accurate and molecular-size-tolerant NMR quantitation of diverse components in solution
Authors: Okamura Hideyasu , Nishimura Hiroshi , Nagata Takashi , Kigawa Takanori , Watanabe Takashi , Katahira Masato
Published: February 2016

Determining the amount of each component of interest in a mixture is a fundamental first step in characterizing the nature of the solution and to develop possible means of utilization of its components. Similarly, determining the composition of units in complex polymers, or polymer mixtures, is crucial. Although NMR is recognized as one of the most powerful methods to achieve this and is widely used in many fields, variation in the molecular sizes or the relative mobilities of components skews quantitation due to the size-dependent decay of magnetization. Here, a method to accurately determine the amount of each component by NMR was developed. This method was validated using a solution that contains biomass-related components in which the molecular sizes greatly differ. The method is also tolerant of other factors that skew quantitation such as variation in the one-bond C–H coupling constant. The developed method is the first and only way to reliably overcome the skewed quantitation caused by several different factors to provide basic information on the correct amount of each component in a solution.
Enhanced in vitro angiogenic behaviour of human umbilical vein endothelial cells on thermally oxidized TiO2 nanofibrous surfaces
Authors: Tan Ai Wen , Liau Ling Ling , Chua Kien Hui , Ahmad Roslina , Akbar Sheikh Ali , Pingguan-Murphy Belinda
Published: February 2016

One of the major challenges in bone grafting is the lack of sufficient bone vascularization. A rapid and stable bone vascularization at an early stage of implantation is essential for optimal functioning of the bone graft. To address this, the ability of in situ TiO2 nanofibrous surfaces fabricated via thermal oxidation method to enhance the angiogenic potential of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was investigated. The cellular responses of HUVECs on TiO2 nanofibrous surfaces were studied through cell adhesion, cell proliferation, capillary-like tube formation, growth factors secretion (VEGF and BFGF) and angiogenic-endogenic-associated gene (VEGF, VEGFR2, BFGF, PGF, HGF, Ang-1, VWF, PECAM-1 and ENOS) expression analysis after 2 weeks of cell seeding. Our results show that TiO2 nanofibrous surfaces significantly enhanced adhesion, proliferation, formation of capillary-like tube networks and growth factors secretion of HUVECs, as well as leading to higher expression level of all angiogenic-endogenic-associated genes, in comparison to unmodified control surfaces. These beneficial effects suggest the potential use of such surface nanostructures to be utilized as an advantageous interface for bone grafts as they can promote angiogenesis, which improves bone vascularization.
All-in-one: a versatile gas sensor based on fiber enhanced Raman spectroscopy for monitoring postharvest fruit conservation and ripening
Authors: Jochum Tobias , Rahal Leila , Suckert Renè J. , Popp Jürgen , Frosch Torsten
Published: February 2016

A single FERS sensor for simultaneous oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia (NH3), and ethylene (C2H4) monitoring is presented for applications in postharvest fruit management.
Facile evaluation of the crystallization of nano-ZSM-5 using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy and multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares
Authors: Khanmohammadi M. , Amani Sh. , Garmarudi A. Bagheri
Published: February 2016

Nano-crystal ZSM-5 was fabricated through the reflux crystallization method under atmospheric pressure and the crystallization evolutionary process was investigated utilizing DRIFT spectroscopy.
A novel and simple electrochemical sensor for some dopaminergic drugs such as selegiline and pramipexole based on a nickel nanoparticle modified carbon paste electrode
Authors: Ojani Reza , Omrani Shahab Gholitabar , Raoof Jahan-Bakhsh , Zamani Saeed
Published: February 2016

In this work, the electrocatalytic oxidation of some dopaminergic drugs such as selegiline (SEL) and pramipexole (PX) was carried out, for the first time with a nickel nanoparticle modified carbon paste electrode (Ni-NP/MCPE).
Highly efficient hydrogen generation from formic acid using a reduced graphene oxide-supported AuPd nanoparticle catalyst
Authors: Yang Xinchun , Pachfule Pradip , Chen Yao , Tsumori Nobuko , Xu Qiang
Published: February 2016

Highly dispersed AuPd alloy nanoparticles have been successfully immobilized on reduced graphene oxide using a facile non-noble metal sacrificial method, which exhibit the highest catalytic activity for dehydrogenation of formic acid at 323 K.
A theoretical study of the electronic structure and charge transport properties of thieno[2,3-b]benzothiophene based derivatives
Authors: Wang Lijuan , Li Tao , Shen Yuxin , Song Yan
Published: February 2016

TBT derivatives exhibit good environmental stability and high charge mobility due to their close π-stacking arrangement and multiple intermolecular interactions.
Solvent effects in catalysis: rational improvements of catalysts via manipulation of solvent interactions
Authors: Dyson Paul J. , Jessop Philip G.
Published: February 2016

The interactions of solvents with catalysts, substrates and products all influence the rate and selectivity of reactions and should be considered to ensure a reaction is run under optimum conditions.
Efficient conversion of biomass-derived furfuryl alcohol to levulinate esters over commercial α-Fe2O3
Authors: Ren Dezhang , Fu Jun , Li Lu , Liu Yunjie , Jin Fangming , Huo Zhibao
Published: February 2016

An efficient process for the production of levulinate esters from biomass-derived furfuryl alcohol in liquid alcohol over commercial α-Fe2O3 was firstly investigated.
Salt saturated single-drop microextraction of malondialdehyde from human plasma before its determination by gas chromatography
Authors: Mirmoghaddam Majid , Kaykhaii Massoud , Hashemi Mohammad
Published: February 2016

A fast, simple and reliable method was introduced and developed for the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) in human blood plasma samples based on the salt saturated single drop microextraction (SS-SDME) followed by gas chromatography/flame ionization detection.
Weak backbone CH⋯OC and side chain tBu⋯tBu London interactions help promote helix folding of achiral NtBu peptoids
Authors: Angelici G. , Bhattacharjee N. , Roy O. , Faure S. , Didierjean C. , Jouffret L. , Jolibois F. , Perrin L. , Taillefumier C.
Published: February 2016

The synthesis and helix folding propensity of achiral all-cis amide (NtBu)-glycine oligomers is reported.
Metal ion triggers for reversible switching of DNA polymerase
Authors: Park Ki Soo , Lee Chang Yeol , Park Hyun Gyu
Published: February 2016

A new strategy to modulate DNA polymerase activity in a reversible and switchable manner was devised by using the novel interactions between DNA bases and metal ions.
Hydrophobically directed, catalyst-free, multi-component synthesis of functionalized 3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2(1H)-ones
Authors: Ramana Daggupati V. , Vinayak B. , Dileepkumar V. , Murty U. S. N. , Chowhan L. Raju , Chandrasekharam M.
Published: February 2016

A one-pot three-component reaction of o-formyl carbamate, a primary amine, a nucleophile (1H-indole or 2-napthol) in water generated a variety of functionalised 3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2(1H)-one derivatives.
Synthesis and reactivity of a germylene stabilized by a boraguanidinate ligand
Authors: Böserle Jiří , Alonso Mercedes , Jambor Roman , Růžička Aleš , Dostál Libor
Published: February 2016

The reactivity of a germylene stabilized by a boraguanidinate ligand with various reagents is reported.
Failure of multi-layer graphene coatings in acidic media
Authors: Yu F. , Stoot A. C. , Bøggild P. , Camilli L.
Published: February 2016

A new failure mechanism for high-quality multilayer graphene coatings in acidic media is described.
Activatable colorimetric and fluorogenic probe for fluoride detection by oxazoloindole-to-hydroxyethylindolium transformation
Authors: Yoo Mijin , Park Seokan , Kim Hae-Jo
Published: February 2016

An oxazoloindole-based dual optical probe displayed a highly sensitive response to fluoride with dramatic UV-vis and fluorescence changes in aqueous solution.
Wideband absorber using silver nanowire resistive film
Authors: Lee J. , Lee B.
Published: February 2016

A light‐weight and wideband X‐band absorber employing a resistive silver nanowire (AgNW) film is presented. One unit of the absorber is composed of a cross‐shaped AgNW resistive film and a conducting plane separated by a 7.5 mm (λ0/4 at 10 GHz) Styrofoam (εr = 1.03) layer. The used surface resistance of the film is 42 Ω per square. The 90% absorption bandwidth of the absorber is 80% from 6 to 14 GHz with a near complete absorption at the centre frequency of 10 GHz. Besides, it is also shown to be polarisation‐insensitive.
Construction of ternary matrices with small coherence for compressed sensing
Authors: Lu Weizhi , Xia Shu‐Tao
Published: February 2016

Recently, the binary matrix with binary correlations between columns has attracted attention for its sparse structure and competitive performance. However, such kind of matrix tends to suffer an increasing coherence, i.e. the maximum absolute correlation between columns, as the compression ratio decreases. It is shown here that the binary matrix mentioned above allows to be duplicated in columns, while not degrading the coherence, if bipolar signs are introduced. The resulting ternary matrix is thus expected to present smaller coherence than the aforementioned binary matrix of same size.
Semi‐automatic tool for motion annotation on complex video sequences
Authors: Mahmood M.H. , Salvi J. , Lladó X.
Published: February 2016

Ground truth annotation on motion segmentation (MS) datasets of arbitrary real‐life videos is a difficult and challenging task. The research community lacks a standard annotation tool for such datasets, which makes it an open research field. Here an annotation tool is proposed for trajectories in complex videos, which provides a publicly available platform to create and reinforce MS datasets. The user friendly interface allows to refine an initial automatic segmentation result to produce ground truth annotation on all the motions of all the frames of a given sequence. In long videos with multiple rigid/non‐rigid motions containing complete occlusion and real distortions, the tool facilitates rapid annotation of motion in a semi‐automatic way.
Optical fibre chromatic dispersion measurement using incoherent heterodyne interferometry
Authors: Tsuchida H.
Published: February 2016

A new technique is proposed and demonstrated for optical fibre chromatic dispersion measurement based on incoherent heterodyne interferometry, which was originally developed for characterising optical resonators. The free spectral range of the ring resonators containing a fibre under test is measured as a function of wavelength, from which group delay and chromatic dispersion can be estimated. As compared with the existing methods, the technique has the advantage of simple configuration and procedure.
Hybrid intelligent modelling and simulation for cold tandem rolling process
Authors: Tie Ming , Bi Jing , Ding Jinliang
Published: February 2016

Dynamics of cold tandem rolling processes are difficult to be simulated with mechanism models due to their high non‐linearities, multivariable and strong couplings, time‐varying distributed parameters and so on. A novel hybrid intelligent dynamic modelling approach is proposed based on the combination of a linearised state space model derived from various mechanism equations, a case‐based reasoning algorithm for multi‐state space models selection, a genetic algorithm for optimisation of case attributes, an adaptive fractal filtering algorithm for the identification of state space model parameters, a neural network‐based simulation error compensation model for the strip exit velocity. With actual data from a 2030 mm five‐stand cold tandem rolling system of a steel plant, simulation experiments verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Furthermore, a rolling simulation system is developed based on the proposed model, and the virtual tandem rolling experiments with the simulation system also validate that the proposed model can accurately simulate the dynamics variation from different types of disturbances of cold tandem rolling processes.
Bio‐inspired image enhancement derived from a ‘rank order coding’ model
Authors: Khiari‐Hili Nefissa , Lelandais Sylvie , Montagne Christophe , Roumes Corinne , Hamrouni Kamel , Plantier Justin
Published: February 2016

In this study, the authors propose a new method to enhance image information, based on wavelet decomposition and original partial reconstruction of image. This reconstruction called ‘asynchronous reconstruction’ is not carried out in the same way as the usual sequential one. It is based on rank order coding. In fact, while sequential reconstruction is to sum all or a part of the responses obtained for each scale of ‘coarse to fine’ decomposition, asynchronous reconstruction tries to be closer to human brain which uses a limited number of frequency channels. Actually, after wavelet decomposition, responses are sorted from top down for each pixel of the image. Final asynchronous reconstruction for each pixel is obtained by adding a chosen number of wavelet responses, beginning by the maximum response. So, at a given level of reconstruction, the pixel values do not come from the same frequency channels. The interest of this method has been tested on a face verification task using the IV2 biometric database. Stopping criterion for reconstruction can be a constant number of wavelet responses to use, but an adaptive process has been also investigated. Three criteria are explored: standard deviation, entropy and lost edges ratio.
Enhanced mutual information based medical image registration
Authors: Pradhan Smita , Patra Dipti
Published: February 2016

Similarity measure plays a significant task in intensity‐based image registration. Nowadays, mutual information (MI) has been used as an efficient similarity measure for multimodal image registration. MI reflects the quantitative aspects of the information as it considers the probabilities of the voxels. However, different voxels have distinct efficiency towards the gratification of the elementary target, which may be self‐reliant of their probability of occurrence. Therefore, both intensity distributions and effectiveness are essential to characterise a voxel. In this study, a novel similarity measure has been proposed by integrating the effectiveness of each voxel along with the intensity distributions for computing the enhanced MI using joint histogram of the two images. Penalised spline interpolation is incorporated to the joint histogram of the similarity measure, where each grid point is penalised with a weighted factor to avoid the local extrema and to achieve better registration accuracy as compared with existing methods with efficient computational runtime. To demonstrate the proposed method, the authors have used a challenging medical image dataset consisting of pre‐ and post‐operative brain magnetic resonance imaging. The registration accuracy for the dataset improves the clinical diagnosis, and detection of growth of tumour in post‐operative image.
Scheme for unsupervised colour–texture image segmentation using neutrosophic set and non‐subsampled contourlet transform
Authors: Heshmati Abed , Gholami Maryam , Rashno Abdolreza
Published: February 2016

The process of partitioning an image into some different meaningful regions with the homogeneous characteristics is called the image segmentation which is a crucial task in image analysis. This study presents an efficient scheme for unsupervised colour–texture image segmentation using neutrosophic set (NS) and non‐subsampled contourlet transform (NSCT). First, the image colour and texture information are extracted via CIE Luv colour space model and NSCT, respectively. Then, the extracted colour and texture information are transformed into the NS domain efficiently by the authors’ proposed approach. In the NS‐based image segmentation, the indeterminacy assessment of the images in the NS domain is notified by the entropy concept. The lower quantity of indeterminacy in the NS domain, the higher confidence and easier segmentation could be achieved. Therefore, to achieve a better segmentation result, an appropriate indeterminacy reduction operation is proposed. Finally, the K‐means clustering algorithm is applied to perform the image segmentation in which the cluster number K is determined by the cluster validity analysis. To show the effectiveness of their proposed method, its performance is compared with that of the state‐of‐the‐art methods. The experimental results reveal that their segmentation scheme outperforms the other methods for the Berkeley dataset.
Preparation of hydrophobic magnetite by a simple solvothermal method using oleylamine as reducing and surface modification agent
Authors: Sun Xiaoning , Sun Kangning , Wang Song , Zhang Shupin , Liu Zhaojun , Wang Yaping
Published: February 2016

Hydrophobic magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were prepared by a one‐step solvothermal processing, in which ferric chloride (FeCl3 ·6H2O) was used as the iron source. A systematic characterisation of the obtained samples was performed by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry, transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope and vibrating sample magnetometer. The experimental results demonstrated that oleylamine not only plays a role as the reducing agent, but also as the surface modification agent. Hydrophobicity of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles therefore, which are covered with oleylamine and long‐chain alkanes, is achieved without any surface modification subsequently. With increasing aging time to 9 h, the average particle size of the product obtained is about 80 nm and its saturation magnetisation can reach a higher value, 89 emu/g.
Connections and dynamical trajectories in generalised Newton-Cartan gravity I. An intrinsic view
Authors: Bekaert Xavier , Morand Kevin
Published: February 2016

The “metric” structure of nonrelativistic spacetimes consists of a one-form (the absolute clock) whose kernel is endowed with a positive-definite metric. Contrarily to the relativistic case, the metric structure and the torsion do not determine a unique Galilean (i.e., compatible) connection. This subtlety is intimately related to the fact that the timelike part of the torsion is proportional to the exterior derivative of the absolute clock. When the latter is not closed, torsionfreeness and metric-compatibility are thus mutually exclusive. We will explore generalisations of Galilean connections along the two corresponding alternative roads in a series of papers. In the present one, we focus on compatible connections and investigate the equivalence problem (i.e., the search for the necessary data allowing to uniquely determine connections) in the torsionfree and torsional cases. More precisely, we characterise the affine structure of the spaces of such connections and display the associated model vector spaces. In contrast with the relativistic case, the metric structure does not single out a privileged origin for the space of metric-compatible connections. In our construction, the role of the Levi-Civita connection is played by a whole class of privileged origins, the so-called torsional Newton-Cartan geometries recently investigated in the literature. Finally, we discuss a generalisation of Newtonian connections to the torsional case.
Simple non-invasive analysis of embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes beating in vitro
Authors: Radaszkiewicz Katarzyna Anna , Sýkorová Dominika , Karas Pavel , Kudová Jana , Kohút Lukáš , Binó Lucia , Večeřa Josef , Víteček Jan , Kubala Lukáš , Pacherník Jiří
Published: February 2016

The analysis of digital video output enables the non-invasive screening of various active biological processes. For the monitoring and computing of the beating parameters of cardiomyocytes in vitro, CB Analyser (cardiomyocyte beating analyser) software was developed. This software is based on image analysis of the video recording of beating cardiomyocytes. CB Analyser was tested using cardiomyocytes derived from mouse embryonic stem cells at different stages of cardiomyogenesis. We observed that during differentiation (from day 18), the beat peak width decreased, which corresponded to the increased speed of an individual pulse. However, the beating frequency did not change. Further, the effects of epinephrine modulating mature cardiomyocyte functions were tested to validate the CB Analyser analysis. In conclusion, data show that CB Analyser is a useful tool for evaluating the functions of both developing and mature cardiomyocytes under various conditions in vitro.
Improving the management and care of refugees in Australian hospitals: a descriptive study
Authors: Ross Lindsey , Harding Catherine , Seal Alexa , Duncan Geraldine
Published: February 2016

Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate healthcare provider perceptions of the impact of refugee patients at two public hospitals, one rural and one urban, in designated refugee resettlement areas. Healthcare professionals’ views regarding improvements that could be made in this area were also sought. Methods Two-page anonymous questionnaires containing demographic, quantitative and open-ended questions were distributed to 150 healthcare providers at each research site. Results Response rates at the rural and urban sites were 50% and 49%, respectively. Refugees were seen at least monthly by 40% of respondents. Additional support was requested by 70% of respondents. Confidence was associated with being born overseas (P = 0.029) and increased time working with refugees (rs = 0.418, P < 0.001). Only 47% of respondents felt confident managing social and psychological needs of refugees. Midwives saw refugees more than nursing and allied healthcare staff combined, and this was significant at the rural hospital (P < 0.001). Rural respondents reported that working with refugees enhanced their practice (P = 0.025), although felt significantly less confident (P < 0.001) than urban respondents. Themes that arose regarding barriers to care included language and cultural barriers, paucity of knowledge and issues accessing available services, including appropriate interpreters, Medicare eligibility and patient factors, including lack of patient trust in government systems. Desire for support was more pronounced in the rural setting (P = 0.001). Conclusions Refugees were seen frequently in both settings and most respondents requested additional support, highlighting that caring for refugees in Australian hospitals is a significant challenge. Additional support and education should be targeted to those caring for refugees most frequently, particularly midwifery services, to reduce barriers to care. What is known about the topic? Refugees are a vulnerable group, often with complex health needs. These needs are often unmet because of issues including language and cultural barriers. What does this paper add? Refugees were seen frequently in the two public hospital settings involved in the present study and most often by midwifery services. Healthcare professionals require more support, more information about available services and better access to interpreter services. These issues were more pronounced in the rural setting where very limited research exists. What are the implications for practitioners? Implementing additional support and education regarding refugee health needs could increase knowledge and confidence when managing refugees, reducing barriers to care and improving quality of care.
Hakea, the world’s most sclerophyllous genus, arose in southwestern Australian heathland and diversified throughout Australia over the past 12 million years
Authors: Lamont Byron B. , He Tianhua , Lim Sim Lin
Published: February 2016

Hakea (Proteaceae) currently comprises over 150 species, with two-thirds confined to south-western Australia (SWA) and the remainder spread throughout Australia, especially along the eastern coast. We constructed a time-based molecular phylogeny for the genus and used area-assignment techniques to trace its biogeographic history. According to our area-cladogram analysis, there is a 95% probability that Hakea arose 18 million years ago (Ma) in the sandplains of SWA. From 12 Ma, the genus speciated and migrated into forest and onto granite outcrops within SWA, into the drier centre and then continued to the maritime forests of eastern Australia (EA) 3000 km away, and north-east to savanna grasslands. The Nullarbor Plain was an obstacle but it did not prevent eastward migration. Twelve west➔east, apparently allopatric, speciation events are identified that coincided with glacial maxima, but more likely represent sympatric speciation in SWA or central Australia, followed by further migration and speciation➔extinction➔speciation events across central to EA. During the period from 8 to 1 Ma, net speciation has been linear and strong in the sclerophyll shrublands of SWA and, to a lesser extent, the sclerophyll forests of EA. Four lines of evidence (historical distribution of sclerophyllous Proteaceae, historical subjection to aridity, species diversification patterns, relative allocation of drought-adapted traits) support our area-cladogram results that Hakea originated in SWA and gradually spread to all parts of Australia as suitable nutrient-impoverished, and open drought- and fire-prone habitats became available.
Efficient Synthesis of All-Aryl Phenazasilines for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Xu Shen , Li Huanhuan , Tang Yuting , Chen Runfeng , Xie Xiaoji , Zhou Xinhui , Xing Guichuan , Huang Wei
Published: February 2016

An efficient metal-free radical-catalyzed intramolecular silylation method has been developed for the preparation of all-aryl phenazasilines, which can be hardly synthesized by traditional synthetic methods. The easily prepared aromatic and rigid phenazasiline exhibits excellent solubility, high thermal stability, and good optoelectronic properties, which are highly attractive for optical and electronic applications in organic electronics. These advances, in the preparation of all-aryl phenazasilines, offer exciting opportunities for sophisticated molecular design and efficient synthesis of optoelectronic molecules based on the phenazasiline.
Importance of reproductive biology of a harvest lizard, Tupinambis merianae, for the management of commercial harvesting
Authors: Naretto Sergio , Cardozo Gabriela , Blengini Cecilia S. , Chiaraviglio Margarita
Published: February 2016

Context Management of the exploitation of resources requires biological information on exploited species. The skins of large reptiles have a commercial value as luxury leather items and Tupinambis lizards from southern South America have historically been exploited for this purpose. Argentina implemented management plans for Tupinambis lizards since 1988 that established a minimum capture size based on the width of dried skins, but this prescription has not been linked to local reproductive attributes of species. Aim In this study, we aim to determine the reproductive parameters of Tupinambis merianae and evaluate which class sizes of individuals are susceptible to commercial trade in central Argentina to generate local and species-specific information to improve available management tools. Methods We determined the relationship between the width of dried skins and live body sizes. We identified size at sexual maturity in males and females. Moreover, we determined status of reproductive individuals by body size and characterised gonadal development and seasonal reproductive events in central Argentina. We evaluated the relationship between female body size and clutch size. Key results Reproduction of T. merianae in central Argentina is markedly seasonal, with both sexes concentrating their reproductive activities between October and December. Size at sexual maturity was smaller for males than females, and the percentage of reproductive females was lower than males. In both sexes, the frequency of reproductive individuals was low in smaller lizards, and bigger females had bigger clutch size. The width of dried skins was positively related to body size. Conclusions Size at sexual maturity, and reproductive period, should be taken into account when management plans are designed to minimise any negative impacts of harvesting. Implications In central Argentina, the breeding season coincides with hunting periods set by national legislation. The results of our study have prompted local authorities to impose hunting closures for part of December and to raise the minimum catch size. Further, we offer an equation that can be used as a monitoring tool for estimating snout to vent length of live animals from skins. Studies like ours should be replicated in different areas and extrapolated to other models.
The archaeal Ced system imports DNA
Authors: van Wolferen Marleen , Wagner Alexander , van der Does Chris , Albers Sonja-Verena
Published: February 2016

Significance

Among bacteria, transfer of DNA has been studied in great detail. Several bacterial DNA transfer systems have been described on a molecular level including competence and conjugation systems. In Archaea, DNA exchange has been observed for a number of organisms and its importance for horizontal gene transfer and DNA repair is greatly valued. However, for none of these organisms has the mode of transport been studied on a molecular level. Here we describe a set of genes directly involved in the transfer of chromosomal DNA between
Sulfolobus acidocaldarius
cells. Homologs of these genes are widely distributed among the Crenarchaeota. For the first time to our knowledge we give molecular insights into intercellular transport of DNA between archaeal cells.
Marine anoxia and delayed Earth system recovery after the end-Permian extinction
Authors: Lau Kimberly V. , Maher Kate , Altiner Demir , Kelley Brian M. , Kump Lee R. , Lehrmann Daniel J. , Silva-Tamayo Juan Carlos , Weaver Karrie L. , Yu Meiyi , Payne Jonathan L.
Published: February 2016

Significance

The end-Permian mass extinction not only decimated taxonomic diversity but also disrupted the functioning of global ecosystems and the stability of biogeochemical cycles. Explaining the 5-million-year delay between the mass extinction and Earth system recovery remains a fundamental challenge in both the Earth and biological sciences. We use coupled records of uranium concentrations and isotopic compositions to constrain global marine redox conditions across the end-Permian extinction horizon and through the subsequent 17 million years of Earth system recovery. Our finding that the trajectory of biological and biogeochemical recovery corresponds to variations in an ocean characterized by extensive, shallow marine anoxia provides, to our knowledge, the first unified explanation for these observations.
Consumption of palatable food primes food approach behavior by rapidly increasing synaptic density in the VTA
Authors: Liu Shuai , Globa Andrea K. , Mills Fergil , Naef Lindsay , Qiao Min , Bamji Shernaz X. , Borgland Stephanie L.
Published: February 2016

Significance

Consumption of palatable food or food-related advertising can prime increased food intake, potentially leading to overeating. We show that short-term exposure to palatable foods induces long-lasting synaptic plasticity in mesolimbic dopamine neurons. Furthermore, short-term exposure to sweetened high-fat food can drive food approach behaviors and consumption days after the initial exposure. Suppressing excitatory synaptic transmission in the ventral tegmental area can reverse increased food approach behaviors and consumption. Targeting this circuit with brain-delivered insulin may provide a strategy to suppress food cravings.
Midbrain auditory selectivity to natural sounds
Authors: Wohlgemuth Melville J. , Moss Cynthia F.
Published: February 2016

Significance

Nervous systems have evolved to enable processing of complex stimuli that animals encounter in their natural environments, and yet, neurophysiological research has largely investigated responses to simple artificial stimuli. In an attempt to bridge this gap, we characterized response selectivity to natural stimuli in the midbrain superior colliculus (SC) of the echolocating bat, an animal that probes the environment with sonar vocalizations. Using the bat’s dynamic echolocation signals as auditory stimuli, we discovered that SC neurons in the dorsal sensory layers exhibited selectivity that was not predicted by responses to artificial sounds. Our research reveals how response properties of SC auditory neurons may lead to stimulus selection and further shows the importance of biologically relevant stimuli to understand brain function.
Kinetic model of the aggregation of alpha-synuclein provides insights into prion-like spreading
Authors: Iljina Marija , Garcia Gonzalo A. , Horrocks Mathew H. , Tosatto Laura , Choi Minee L. , Ganzinger Kristina A. , Abramov Andrey Y. , Gandhi Sonia , Wood Nicholas W. , Cremades Nunilo , Dobson Christopher M. , Knowles Tuomas P. J. , Klenerman David
Published: February 2016

Significance

Growing experimental evidence suggests that the pathological spreading of alpha-synuclein aggregates in Parkinson’s disease is mediated through a process of templated seeding whereby aggregates catalyze the conversion of soluble protein molecules into their aggregated forms. A molecular-level understanding of this process is still lacking. Here, we determine the concentrations and numbers of aggregates necessary for the effective seeding of alpha-synuclein, thus providing a quantitative framework to understand the conditions when its seeded propagation is favorable. We find that high concentrations of aggregates are needed for seeding yet that aggregates cause cytotoxicity at significantly lower concentrations. This suggests that templated seeding is unlikely to be the main mechanism of spreading in Parkinson’s disease but occurs together with oligomer-induced cellular stress.
Illuminating structural proteins in viral “dark matter” with metaproteomics
Authors: Brum Jennifer R. , Ignacio-Espinoza J. Cesar , Kim Eun-Hae , Trubl Gareth , Jones Robert M. , Roux Simon , VerBerkmoes Nathan C. , Rich Virginia I. , Sullivan Matthew B.
Published: February 2016

Significance

Marine viruses are abundant and have substantial ecosystem impacts, yet their study is hampered by the dominance of unannotated viral genes. Here, we use metaproteomics and metagenomics to examine virion-associated proteins in marine viral communities, providing tentative functions for 677,000 viral genomic sequences and the majority of previously unknown virion-associated proteins in these samples. The five most abundant protein groups comprised 67% of the metaproteomes and were tentatively identified as capsid proteins of predominantly unknown viruses, all of which putatively contain a protein fold that may be the most abundant biological structure on Earth. This methodological approach is thus shown to be a powerful way to increase our knowledge of the most numerous biological entities on the planet.
The adaptive immune system restrains Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis by modulating microglial function
Authors: Marsh Samuel E. , Abud Edsel M. , Lakatos Anita , Karimzadeh Alborz , Yeung Stephen T. , Davtyan Hayk , Fote Gianna M. , Lau Lydia , Weinger Jason G. , Lane Thomas E. , Inlay Matthew A. , Poon Wayne W. , Blurton-Jones Mathew
Published: February 2016

Significance

Neuroinflammation and activation of innate immunity are pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In contrast, very few studies have examined the impact of the adaptive immune system in AD pathogenesis. Here, we find that genetic ablation of peripheral immune cell populations significantly accelerates amyloid pathogenesis, worsens neuroinflammation, and alters microglial activation state. Critically, it appears that loss of IgG-producing B cells impairs microglial phagocytosis, thereby exacerbating amyloid deposition. Conversely, replacement of IgGs via direct injection or bone marrow transplantation reverses these effects and reduces Aβ pathology. Together, these results highlight the importance of the adaptive immune system and its interactions with microglia in the pathogenesis of AD.
AAVP displaying octreotide for ligand-directed therapeutic transgene delivery in neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas
Authors: Smith Tracey L. , Yuan Ziqiang , Cardó-Vila Marina , Sanchez Claros Carmen , Adem Asha , Cui Min-Hui , Branch Craig A. , Gelovani Juri G. , Libutti Steven K. , Sidman Richard L. , Pasqualini Renata , Arap Wadih
Published: February 2016

Significance

There are literally thousands of biologically active, clinically relevant peptide motifs in mammalian species. Surprisingly, however, despite this abundance of potential peptide reagents for ligand-directed delivery, applications for targeted gene therapy are generally lacking. Here we used a hybrid AAV/phage (AAVP) vector for octreotide ligand-directed therapeutic gene delivery to pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in a transgenic mouse model that faithfully recapitulates the cognate human disease. This platform is readily available for a translational clinical trial. In a broader context, this proof-of-concept work establishes a unique targeting paradigm in which existing ligand/receptors may be exploited in nature while minimizing or eliminating several rate-limiting steps of conventional phage display library selection that require cumbersome experimental discovery work.
Sex-specific regulation of
Lgr3
in
Drosophila
neurons
Authors: Meissner Geoffrey W. , Luo Shengzhan D. , Dias Brian G. , Texada Michael J. , Baker Bruce S.
Published: February 2016

Significance

For individuals to develop sexually dimorphic body parts and behavior, their cells must know their sex. In the fruit fly
Drosophila melanogaster
, this process is carried out by a series of genes ending with
fruitless
(
fru
) and
doublesex
(
dsx
). We found that both Fru and Dsx regulate the expression of the leucine-rich repeat G protein-coupled receptor 3 (
Lgr3
) gene in separate sets of neurons, including neurons important for female sexual behavior. Thus,
Lgr3
is important for sexual development and is a point of convergence after the
fru
/
dsx
split.
A protein constructed de novo enables cell growth by altering gene regulation
Authors: Digianantonio Katherine M. , Hecht Michael H.
Published: February 2016

Significance

We describe a novel regulatory protein that was discovered in a library of de novo-designed proteins never sampled by nature. This de novo protein, SynSerB3, rescues a conditionally lethal mutation in
Escherichia coli
cells that prevents growth in the absence of serine. We found that SynSerB3 does not catalyze the biosynthesis of serine but rather upregulates an endogenous protein, histidinol phosphate phosphatase, which can synthesize serine via a promiscuous catalytic activity. This regulatory function of SynSerB3 sustains life in
E
.
coli
cells under conditions that are otherwise lethal and is a synthetic addition to natural gene regulation.
Membrane-bound MinDE complex acts as a toggle switch that drives Min oscillation coupled to cytoplasmic depletion of MinD
Authors: Vecchiarelli Anthony G. , Li Min , Mizuuchi Michiyo , Hwang Ling Chin , Seol Yeonee , Neuman Keir C. , Mizuuchi Kiyoshi
Published: February 2016

Significance

The Min system ofEscherichia coliuses the proteins MinD and MinE to form a standing wave oscillator on the membrane that prevents cell division at the cell poles. Using purified MinD and MinE, several dynamic patterns have been previously reconstituted on lipid bilayers. However, these dissimilar patterns occur under different reaction settings; therefore, the underlying mechanistic principles are unclear. By using a limiting supply of MinD, we reproduced standing wave oscillation on a flat bilayer. We find that periodic depletion of active MinD from solution is essential for the standing wave. Also, the MinD-to-MinE ratio on the bilayer acts as a toggle switch between membrane-binding and -release by MinD, which drives the oscillation.
Giant magneto-optical Raman effect in a layered transition metal compound
Authors: Ji Jianting , Zhang Anmin , Fan Jiahe , Li Yuesheng , Wang Xiaoqun , Zhang Jiandi , Plummer E. W. , Zhang Qingming
Published: February 2016

Significance

Raman scattering is a powerful technique to probe optical phonons in solids. It usually involves an electron-mediated three-step process, involving photon–electron, electron–phonon, and electron–photon interactions. In principle, manipulating electrons, for instance by applying a magnetic field, should affect Raman phonon intensity, yet there is no direct experimental measurement to demonstrate this. In this work we report the first realization to our knowledge of the idea in a prototype material, MoS
2
. From monolayer and bilayer to bulk MoS
2
we observe a dramatic modification of Raman phonon intensity induced by magnetic field. Such a giant magneto-optical effect appearing at a monoatomic layer level and its technological implications for magnetic-optical devices should inspire a new branch of inelastic light scattering.
Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy diffusion laws in the presence of moving nanodomains
Authors: Šachl Radek , Bergstrand Jan , Widengren Jerker , Hof Martin
Published: February 2016

It has been shown by means of simulations that spot variation fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (sv-FCS) can be used for the identification and, to some extent, also characterization of immobile lipid nanodomains in model as well as cellular plasma membranes. However, in these simulations, the nanodomains were assumed to be stationary, whereas they actually tend to move like the surrounding lipids. In the present study, we investigated how such domain movement influences the diffusion time/spot-size dependence observed in FCS experiments, usually referred to as ‘diffusion law’ analysis. We show that domain movement might mask the effects of the ‘anomalous’ diffusion characteristics of membrane lipids or proteins predicted for stationary domains, making it difficult to identify such moving nanodomains by sv-FCS. More specifically, our simulations indicate that (i) for domains moving up to a factor of 2.25 slower than the surrounding lipids, such impeded diffusion cannot be observed and the diffusion behaviour of the proteins or lipids is indistinguishable from that of freely diffusing molecules, i.e. nanodomains are not detected; (ii) impeded protein/lipid diffusion behaviour can be observed in experiments where the radii of the detection volume are similar in size to the domain radii, the domain diffusion is about 10 times slower than that of the lipids, and the probes show a high affinity to the domains; and (iii) presence of nanodomains can only be reliably detected by diffraction limited sv-FCS when the domains move very slowly (about 200 times slower than the lipid diffusion). As nanodomains are expected to be in the range of tens of nanometres and most probes show low affinities to such domains, sv-FCS is limited to stationary domains and/or STED-FCS. However, even for that latter technique, diffusing domains smaller than 50 nm in radius are hardly detectable by FCS diffusion time/spot-size dependencies.
Influence of In content in InGaN barriers on crystalline quality and carrier transport of GaN-based light-emitting diodes
Authors: Lin Zhiting , Wang Haiyan , Lin Yunhao , Yang Meijuan , Wang Wenliang , Li Guoqiang
Published: February 2016

The influence of In content in InGaN barriers on the crystalline quality and carrier transport of GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is studied by numerical and experimental investigations. The optimal In content of InGaN barriers is hence obtained. It is found that carrier concentration and crystalline quality degradation are a pair of opposite influential factors as In content increases. In content of 1.2% is optimal because it is the balance value at which a huge gain of carrier concentration is achieved without crystalline degradation. In content of 1.2% in InGaN barriers leads to a remarkable enhancement in both the light output power and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of LEDs. In such cases, the LED’s light output power and the EQE increase by 15.4% and 10.3% at a current of 70 mA, respectively. This work demonstrates the possibility of achieving high-performance LEDs with an aggravated efficiency droop, and is of great interest for the commercial development of GaN-based LEDs.
Twisted Demazure modules, fusion product decomposition and twisted 𝑄-systems
Authors: Kus Deniz , Venkatesh R.
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we introduce a family of indecomposable finite-dimensional graded modules for the twisted current algebras. These modules are indexed by an

|

R
+

|

|R^+|

-tuple of partitions

ξ
=
(

ξ

α

)

α
∈

R
+

\xi =(\xi ^{\alpha })_{\alpha \in R^+}

satisfying a natural compatibility condition. We give three equivalent presentations of these modules and show that for a particular choice of

ξ
\xi

these modules become isomorphic to Demazure modules in various levels for the twisted affine algebras. As a consequence we see that the defining relations of twisted Demazure modules can be greatly simplified. Furthermore, we investigate the notion of fusion products for twisted modules, first defined by Feigin and Loktev in 1999 for untwisted modules, and use the simplified presentation to prove a fusion product decomposition of twisted Demazure modules. As a consequence we prove that twisted Demazure modules can be obtained by taking the associated graded modules of (untwisted) Demazure modules for simply-laced affine algebras. Furthermore we give a semi-infinite fusion product construction for the irreducible representations of twisted affine algebras. Finally, we prove that the twisted

Q
Q

-sytem defined by Hatayama et al. in 2001 extends to a non-canonical short exact sequence of fusion products of twisted Demazure modules.