bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanoscale Roughness of Natural Fault Surfaces Controlled by Scale‐Dependent Yield Strength
Authors: Thom C. A. , Brodsky E. E. , Carpick R. W. , Pharr G. M. , Oliver W. C. , Goldsby D. L.
Published: September 2017

Many natural fault surfaces exhibit remarkably similar scale‐dependent roughness, which may reflect the scale‐dependent yield strength of rocks. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we show that a sample of the Corona Heights Fault exhibits isotropic surface roughness well‐described by a power law, with a Hurst exponent of 0.75 +/− 0.05 at all wavelengths from 60 nm to 10 μm. The roughness data and a recently proposed theoretical framework predict that yield strength varies with length scale as λ‐0.25+/−0.05. Nanoindentation tests on the Corona Heights sample and another fault sample whose topography was previously measured with AFM (the Yair Fault) reveal a scale‐dependent yield stress with power‐law exponents of −0.12 +/− 0.06 and −0.18 +/− 0.08, respectively. These values are within one to two standard deviations of the predicted value, and provide experimental evidence that fault roughness is controlled by intrinsic material properties, which produces a characteristic surface geometry.
Living Bioelectronics: Strategies for Developing an Effective Long‐Term Implant with Functional Neural Connections
Authors: Goding Josef A. , Gilmour Aaron D. , Aregueta‐Robles Ulises A. , Hasan Erol A. , Green Rylie A.
Published: September 2017

Existing bionic implants use metal electrodes, which have low charge transfer capacity and poor tissue integration. This limits their use in next‐generation, high resolution devices. Coating and other modification techniques have been explored to improve the performance of metal electrodes. While this has enabled increased charge transfer properties and integration of biologically responsive components, stable long term performance remains a significant challenge. This progress report provides a background on electrode modification techniques, exploring state‐of‐the art approaches to improving implantable electrodes. The new frontier of cell‐based electronics, is introduced detailing approaches that use tissue engineering principles applied to bionic devices. These living bioelectronic technologies aim to enable devices to grow into target tissues, creating direct neural connections. Ideally, this approach will create a paradigm shift in biomedical electrode design. Rather than relying on unwieldy metal electrodes and direct current injection, living bioelectronics will use cells embedded within devices to provide communication through synaptic connections. This report details the challenge of designing electrodes that can bridge the technology gap between conventional metal electrode interfaces and new living electrodes through considering electrical, chemical, physical and biological characteristics.
Layered Simple Hydroxides Functionalized by Fluorene‐Phosphonic Acids: Synthesis, Interface Theoretical Insights, and Magnetoelectric Effect
Authors: Evrard Quentin , Chaker Ziyad , Roger Mélissa , Sevrain Charlotte M. , Delahaye Emilie , Gallart Mathieu , Gilliot Pierre , Leuvrey Cédric , Rueff Jean‐Michel , Rabu Pierre , Massobrio Carlo , Boero Mauro , Pautrat Alain , Jaffrès Paul‐Alain , Ori Guido , Rogez Guillaume
Published: September 2017

Copper‐ and cobalt‐based layered simple hydroxides (LSH) are successfully functionalized by a series of fluorene mono‐ and diphosphonic acids, using anionic exchange reactions and a preintercalation strategy. The lateral functionalization of the fluorene moieties has only little impact on the overall structure of the obtained layered hybrid materials but it influences the organization of the molecules within the interlamellar spacing. For bulky fluorene (9,9‐dioctyl derivative), luminescence is preserved when inserted into copper and cobalt hydroxydes, whereas it is completely quenched for the other fluorenes. Detailed characterization of the internal structure and chemical bonding properties for copper‐ and cobalt‐based hybrids is performed via ancillary experimental techniques. For the copper‐based LSH class, for which more elusive findings are found, first‐principles molecular dynamics simulations unravel the fundamental stabilizing role of the H‐bonding network promoted within the local environments of the fluorene mono‐ and diphosphonic acids. The cobalt series of compounds constitute a new class of hybrid magnets, with ordering temperatures ranging from 11.8 to 17.8 K and show a clear magnetoelectric effect. This effect appears above a threshold magnetic field, which is null below the magnetic ordering temperature, and it persists in the paramagnetic regime till about 110 K.
Nanodroplet‐Containing Polymers for Efficient Low‐Power Light Upconversion
Authors: Vadrucci Roberto , Monguzzi Angelo , Saenz Felipe , Wilts Bodo D. , Simon Yoan C. , Weder Christoph
Published: September 2017

Sensitized triplet–triplet‐annihilation‐based photon upconversion (TTA‐UC) permits the conversion of light into radiation of higher energy and involves a sequence of photophysical processes between two dyes. In contrast to other upconversion schemes, TTA‐UC allows the frequency shifting of low‐intensity light, which makes it particularly suitable for solar‐energy harvesting technologies. High upconversion yields can be observed for low viscosity solutions of dyes; but, in solid materials, which are better suited for integration in devices, the process is usually less efficient. Here, it is shown that this problem can be solved by using transparent nanodroplet‐containing polymers that consist of a continuous polymer matrix and a dispersed liquid phase containing the upconverting dyes. These materials can be accessed by a simple one‐step procedure that involves the free‐radical polymerization of a microemulsion of hydrophilic monomers, a lipophilic solvent, the upconverting dyes, and a surfactant. Several glassy and rubbery materials are explored and a range of dyes that enable TTA‐UC in different spectral regions are utilized. The materials display upconversion efficiencies of up to ≈15%, approaching the performance of optimized oxygen‐free reference solutions. The data suggest that the matrix not only serves as mechanically coherent carrier for the upconverting liquid phase, but also provides good protection from atmospheric oxygen.
Polar‐Electrode‐Bridged Electroluminescent Displays: 2D Sensors Remotely Communicating Optically
Authors: Xu Xiuru , Hu Dan , Yan Lijia , Fang Shaoli , Shen Clifton , Loo Yueh‐Lin , Lin Yuan , Haines Carter S. , Li Na , Zakhidov Anvar A. , Meng Hong , Baughman Ray H. , Huang Wei
Published: September 2017

A novel geometry for electroluminescent devices, which does not require transparent electrodes for electrical input, is demonstrated, theoretically analyzed, and experimentally characterized. Instead of emitting light through a conventional electrode, light emission occurs through a polar liquid or solid and input electrical electrodes are coplanar, rather than stacked in a sandwich configuration. This new device concept is scalable and easily deployed for a range of modular alternating‐current‐powered electroluminescent light sources and light‐emitting sensing devices. The polar‐electrode‐bridged electroluminescent displays can be used as remotely readable, spatially responsive sensors that emit light in response to the accumulation and distribution of materials on the device surface. Using this device structure, various types of alternating current devices are demonstrated. These include an umbrella that automatically lights up when it rains, a display that emits light from regions touched by human fingers (or painted upon using a mixture of oil and water), and a sensor that lights up differently in different areas to indicate the presence of water and its freezing. This study extends the dual‐stack, coplanar‐electrode device geometry to provide displays that emit light from a figure drawn on an electroluminescent panel using a graphite pencil.
Tailoring Semiconductor Lateral Multijunctions for Giant Photoconductivity Enhancement
Authors: Tsai Yutsung , Chu Zhaodong , Han Yimo , Chuu Chih‐Piao , Wu Di , Johnson Alex , Cheng Fei , Chou Mei‐Yin , Muller David A. , Li Xiaoqin , Lai Keji , Shih Chih‐Kang
Published: September 2017

Semiconductor heterostructures have played a critical role as the enabler for new science and technology. The emergence of transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) as atomically thin semiconductors has opened new frontiers in semiconductor heterostructures either by stacking different TMDs to form vertical heterojunctions or by stitching them laterally to form lateral heterojunctions via direct growth. In conventional semiconductor heterostructures, the design of multijunctions is critical to achieve carrier confinement. Analogously, successful synthesis of a monolayer WS2/WS2(1−x)Se2x/WS2 multijunction lateral heterostructure via direct growth by chemical vapor deposition is reported. The grown structures are characterized by Raman, photoluminescence, and annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy to determine their lateral compositional profile. More importantly, using microwave impedance microscopy, it is demonstrated that the local photoconductivity in the alloy region can be tailored and enhanced by two orders of magnitude over pure WS2. Finite element analysis confirms that this effect is due to the carrier diffusion and confinement into the alloy region. This work exemplifies the technological potential of atomically thin lateral heterostructures in optoelectronic applications.
A nationwide survey of hypoplastic myelodysplastic syndrome (a multicenter retrospective study)
Authors: Kobayashi Takashi , Nannya Yasuhito , Ichikawa Motoshi , Oritani Kenji , Kanakura Yuzuru , Tomita Akihiro , Kiyoi Hitoshi , Kobune Masayoshi , Kato Junji , Kawabata Hiroshi , Shindo Motohiro , Torimoto Yoshihiro , Yonemura Yuji , Hanaoka Nobuyoshi , Nakakuma Hideki , Hasegawa Daisuke , Manabe Atsushi , Fujishima Naohito , Fujii Nobuharu , Tanimoto Mitsune , Morita Yasuyoshi , Matsuda Akira , Fujieda Atsushi , Katayama Naoyuki , Ohashi Haruhiko , Nagai Hirokazu , Terada Yoshiki , Hino Masayuki , Sato Ken , Obara Naoshi , Chiba Shigeru , Usuki Kensuke , Ohta Masatsugu , Imataki Osamu , Uemura Makiko , Takaku Tomoiku , Komatsu Norio , Kitanaka Akira , Shimoda Kazuya , Watanabe Kenichiro , Tohyama Kaoru , Takaori‐Kondo Akifumi , Harigae Hideo , Arai Shunya , Miyazaki Yasushi , Ozawa Keiya , Kurokawa Mineo ,   for National Research Group on Idiopathic Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes
Published: September 2017

Hypoplastic myelodysplastic syndrome (hMDS) is a distinct entity with bone marrow (BM) hypocellularity and the risk of death from BM failure (BMF). To elucidate the characteristics of hMDS, the data of 129 patients diagnosed between April 2003 and March 2012 were collected from 20 institutions and the central review team of the National Research Group on Idiopathic Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes, and compared with 115 non‐hMDS patients. More RA and fewer CMMoL and RAEB‐t in French‐American‐British (FAB) and more RCUD and MDS‐U and fewer RCMD in World Health Organization (WHO) classifications were found in hMDS than non‐hMDS with significant differences. The overall survival (OS) and AML progression‐free survival (AML‐PFS) of hMDS were higher than those of non‐hMDS, especially in patients at age ≥50 and of lower risk in Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS‐R). In competing risks analysis, hMDS exhibited decreased risk of AML‐progression in lower IPSS or IPSS‐R risk patients, and higher risk of death from BMF in patients at age ≥50. Poor performance status (PS ≥2) and high karyotype risks in IPSS‐R (high and very high) were significant risk factors of death and AML‐progression in Cox proportional hazards analysis.
Brain–heart interactions reveal consciousness in noncommunicating patients
Authors: Raimondo Federico , Rohaut Benjamin , Demertzi Athena , Valente Melanie , Engemann Denis A. , Salti Moti , Fernandez Slezak Diego , Naccache Lionel , Sitt Jacobo D.
Published: September 2017

Objective

We here aimed at characterizing heart–brain interactions in patients with disorders of consciousness. We tested how this information impacts data‐driven classification between unresponsive and minimally conscious patients.

Methods

A cohort of 127 patients in vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS; n = 70) and minimally conscious state (MCS; n = 57) were presented with the local–global auditory oddball paradigm, which distinguishes 2 levels of processing: short‐term deviation of local auditory regularities and global long‐term rule violations. In addition to previously validated markers of consciousness extracted from electroencephalograms (EEG), we computed autonomic cardiac markers, such as heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV), and cardiac cycle phase shifts triggered by the processing of the auditory stimuli.

Results

HR and HRV were similar in patients across groups. The cardiac cycle was not sensitive to the processing of local regularities in either the VS/UWS or MCS patients. In contrast, global regularities induced a phase shift of the cardiac cycle exclusively in the MCS group. The interval between the auditory stimulation and the following R peak was significantly shortened in MCS when the auditory rule was violated. When the information for the cardiac cycle modulations and other consciousness‐related EEG markers were combined, single patient classification performance was enhanced compared to classification with solely EEG markers.

Interpretation

Our work shows a link between residual cognitive processing and the modulation of autonomic somatic markers. These results open a new window to evaluate patients with disorders of consciousness via the embodied paradigm, according to which body–brain functions contribute to a holistic approach to conscious processing. Ann Neurol 2017;82:578–591
DNAJC12 and dopa‐responsive nonprogressive parkinsonism
Authors: Straniero Letizia , Guella Ilaria , Cilia Roberto , Parkkinen Laura , Rimoldi Valeria , Young Alexander , Asselta Rosanna , Soldà Giulia , Sossi Vesna , Stoessl A. Jon , Priori Alberto , Nishioka Kenya , Hattori Nobutaka , Follett Jordan , Rajput Alex , Blau Nenad , Pezzoli Gianni , Farrer Matthew J. , Goldwurm Stefano , Rajput Ali H. , Duga Stefano
Published: September 2017

Biallelic DNAJC12 mutations were described in children with hyperphenylalaninemia, neurodevelopmental delay, and dystonia. We identified DNAJC12 homozygous null variants (c.187A>T;p.K63* and c.79‐2A>G;p.V27Wfs*14) in two kindreds with early‐onset parkinsonism. Both probands had mild intellectual disability, mild nonprogressive, motor symptoms, sustained benefit from small dose of levodopa, and substantial worsening of symptoms after levodopa discontinuation. Neuropathology (Proband‐A) revealed no alpha‐synuclein pathology, and substantia nigra depigmentation with moderate cell loss. DNAJC12 transcripts were reduced in both patients. Our results suggest that DNAJC12 mutations (absent in 500 early‐onset patients with Parkinson's disease) rarely cause dopa‐responsive nonprogressive parkinsonism in adulthood, but broaden the clinical spectrum of DNAJC12 deficiency. Ann Neurol 2017;82:640–646
Synthetic Nanosheets of Natural van der Waals Heterostructures
Authors: Banik Ananya , Biswas Kanishka
Published: September 2017

Creation of new van der Waals heterostructures by stacking different two dimensional (2D) crystals on top of each other in a chosen sequence is the next challenge after the discovery of graphene, mono/few layer of h‐BN, and transition‐metal dichalcogenides. However, chemical syntheses of van der Waals heterostructures are rarer than the physical preparation techniques. Herein, we demonstrate the kinetic stabilization of 2D ultrathin heterostructure (ca. 1.13–2.35 nm thick) nanosheets of layered intergrowth SnBi2Te4, SnBi4Te7, and SnBi6Te10, which belong to the SnmBi2nTe3n+m homologous series, by a simple solution based synthesis. Few‐layer nanosheets exhibit ultralow lattice thermal conductivity (κlat) of 0.3–0.5 W m−1 K−1 and semiconducting electron‐transport properties with high carrier mobility.
Opposing Phase‐Segregation and Hydrogen‐Bonding Forces in Supramolecular Polymers
Authors: Chen Senbin , Yan Tingzi , Fischer Matthias , Mordvinkin Anton , Saalwächter Kay , Thurn‐Albrecht Thomas , Binder Wolfgang H.
Published: September 2017

Phase segregation between different macromolecules and specific weak interactions are the basis of molecular organization in many biological systems, which are held together by attractive hydrogen bonds (H‐bonds) and dissociated by phase segregation. We report significant changes in the association behavior of covalent H‐bonds by the phase of attached polymer chains. Depending on the aggregation state, we observed either intact H‐bonds despite segregation of the phases, or macrophase separation with a larger amount of H‐bonding dissociation.
Remote Loading of Small‐Molecule Therapeutics into Cholesterol‐Enriched Cell‐Membrane‐Derived Vesicles
Authors: Zhang Xinxin , Angsantikul Pavimol , Ying Man , Zhuang Jia , Zhang Qiangzhe , Wei Xiaoli , Jiang Yao , Zhang Yue , Dehaini Diana , Chen Mengchun , Chen Yijie , Gao Weiwei , Fang Ronnie H. , Zhang Liangfang
Published: September 2017

The increasing popularity of biomimetic design principles in nanomedicine has led to therapeutic platforms with enhanced performance and biocompatibility. This includes the use of naturally derived cell membranes, which can bestow nanocarriers with cell‐specific functionalities. Herein, we report on a strategy enabling efficient encapsulation of drugs via remote loading into membrane vesicles derived from red blood cells. This is accomplished by supplementing the membrane with additional cholesterol, stabilizing the nanostructure and facilitating the retention of a pH gradient. We demonstrate the loading of two model drugs: the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin and the antibiotic vancomycin. The therapeutic implications of these natural, remote‐loaded nanoformulations are studied both in vitro and in vivo using animal disease models. Ultimately, this approach could be used to design new biomimetic nanoformulations with higher efficacy and improved safety profiles.
Single Turnover at Molecular Polymerization Catalysts Reveals Spatiotemporally Resolved Reactions
Authors: Easter Quinn T. , Blum Suzanne A.
Published: September 2017

Multiple active individual molecular ruthenium catalysts have been pinpointed within growing polynorbornene, thereby revealing information on the reaction dynamics and location that is unavailable through traditional ensemble experiments. This is the first single‐turnover imaging of a molecular catalyst by fluorescence microscopy and allows detection of individual monomer reactions at an industrially important molecular ruthenium ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) catalyst under synthetically relevant conditions (e.g. unmodified industrial catalyst, ambient pressure, condensed phase, ca. 0.03 m monomer). These results further establish the key fundamentals of this imaging technique for characterizing the reactivity and location of active molecular catalysts even when they are the minor components.
Fe3O4@SiO2–ZrCl2‐MNPs: A novel magnetic catalyst for the clean and efficient cascade synthesis of 1‐(benzothiazolylamino)methyl‐2‐naphthol derivatives in the absence of solvent
Authors: Kamali Fatemeh , Shirini Farhad
Published: September 2017

A green, simple and eco‐friendly three‐component condensation for the synthesis of 1‐(benzothiazolylamino)methyl‐2‐naphthols using new magnetic nanoparticles formulated as Fe3O4@SiO2–ZrCl2‐MNPs is described. Considering the economic and environmental aspects, the method provides some advantages such as clean procedure, solvent‐free conditions, simple operation and work‐up, relatively short reaction times and high yields of the products. Moreover the introduced catalyst can be readily recovered up to 4 consecutive runs with consistent activity using an external magnet.
Analytic construction of baroclinic tori by nonlinear summation
Authors: Razdoburdin D. N.
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we present an analytical method for constructing baroclinic flow. Presented method allows the construction of baroclinic tori with significant vertical shear, which are stable by the Solberg–Høiland criterion. The presented method can be useful in the investigations of the influence of background structure on vertical‐shear‐ and entropy‐driven instabilities.
Evidence for Opportunity Cost Neglect in the Poor
Authors: Plantinga Arnoud , Krijnen Job M.T. , Zeelenberg Marcel , Breugelmans Seger M.
Published: September 2017

People often neglect opportunity costs: They do not fully take into account forgone alternatives outside of a particular choice set. Several scholars have suggested that poor people should be more likely to spontaneously consider opportunity costs, because budget constraints should lead to an increased focus on trade‐offs. We did not find support for this hypothesis in five high‐powered experiments (total N = 2325). The experiments used different products (both material and experiential) with both high and low prices (from $8.50 to $249.99) and different methods of reminding participants of opportunity costs. High‐income and low‐income participants showed an equally strong decrease in willingness to buy when reminded of opportunity costs, implying that both the rich and the poor neglect opportunity costs. © 2017 The Authors Journal of Behavioral Decision Making Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Use of endoscopy to determine the resection margin during laparoscopic gastrectomy for cancer
Authors: Kawakatsu S , Ohashi M , Hiki N , Nunobe S , Nagino M , Sano T
Published: September 2017

Background

It can be difficult to determine the transection line during totally laparoscopic surgery for early gastric cancer owing to lack of tactile feedback. This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the role of intraoperative endoscopy in determining the resection margin in totally laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Methods

Consecutive patients with histologically confirmed gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy between March 2012 and July 2015 were eligible. Preoperative placement of marking clips and intraoperative endoscopy were performed to determine the resection margin. Frozen-section analyses were also performed to confirm the absence of cancer cells at the surgical margin. Success was defined as the proportion of specimens with all clips present and by the proportion of resections with a negative surgical margin following initial transection.

Results

Total laparoscopic gastrectomy with intraoperative endoscopy was performed in 522 patients; a total of 662 surgical margins were analysed. The overall success rate was 99·8 per cent (661 of 662 margins). The success rate of achieving a negative surgical margin during the initial transection was 98·9 per cent (550 of 556 margins).

Conclusion

Preoperative placement of marking clips and intraoperative endoscopy is helpful in the determination of a safe surgical margin in patients with gastric cancer who undergo laparoscopic gastrectomy.
Improving outcomes in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer
Authors: Roberts K J
Published: September 2017

State of the art
Gain insight into preventing sexual assault by, among your student‐athletes
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: September 2017

Sexual assault can be prevented. But the onus shouldn't fall solely on women. And sexual assault prevention isn't a one‐time effort. In fact, it's a continual conversation and an ongoing process that must be driven by research and outcomes while also being tailored so that it's developmentally appropriate for the target audience.
Fluorescent Probe DCVJ Shows High Sensitivity for Characterization of Amyloid β‐Peptide Early in the Lag Phase
Authors: Nagarajan Sureshbabu , Lapidus Lisa J.
Published: September 2017

The aggregation of intrinsically disordered and misfolded proteins in the form of oligomers and fibrils plays a crucial role in a number of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, most probes and biophysical techniques that detect and characterize fibrils at high resolution fail to show sensitivity and binding for oligomers. Here, we show that 9‐(dicyano‐vinyl)julolidine (DCVJ), a class of molecular rotor, binds amyloid beta (Aβ) early aggregates, and we report the kinetics as well as packing of the oligomer formation. The binding of DCVJ to Aβ40 increased its emission intensity with time at 510 nm and produced a second excimer peak at 575 nm. However, DCVJ did not bind to the prefibrillar aggregates of Aβ42, which indicated that the oligomers formed by Aβ40 and Aβ42 were not the same. The F4C F19W mutant of Aβ40, which did not form fibrils, also bound DCVJ, but the emission spectral profile varied from that of the wild‐type (WT). Atomic force microscopy images of WT Aβ40, the F4C F19W mutant, and Aβ42 oligomers displayed differences in size and shape, confirming the difference in their DCVJ spectra. The effect of epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) on the reduction of Aβ42 fibrils was also observed with finer detail than with other techniques. The results of this study show that DCVJ detects early aggregates and provides valuable information regarding the oligomer kinetics, packing, and mechanism of formation.
Modulating the Physical and Electronic Properties over Positional Isomerism: The Dispirofluorene–Dihydroindacenodithiophene (DSF‐IDT) Family
Authors: Peltier Jean‐David , Heinrich Benoît , Donnio Bertrand , Jeannin Olivier , Rault‐Berthelot Joëlle , Poriel Cyril
Published: September 2017

We report the first studies on the intrinsic properties of a meta‐substituted dihydroindacenodithienyl fragment and more generally the strong impact of positional isomerism on dihydroindacenodithiophene derivatives. The influence of the para and meta linkages has notably been highlighted not only for the electronic properties in solution (electrochemical properties, anodic polymerization, HOMO/LUMO energy levels, optical transitions, fluorescence spectra) but also on the physical properties in the solid state (molecular organization, crystallinity, and phase transitions). The positional isomerism hence appears to be a very efficient tool to drastically tune the properties of dihydroindacenodithiophene derivatives.
Determination of the Absolute Configuration of (−)‐Hydroxynitrilaphos and Related Biosynthetic Questions
Authors: Pallitsch Katharina , Happl Barbara , Stieger Christian
Published: September 2017

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Katharina Pallitsch at the University of Vienna. The image depicts an abstract rendition of the still unknown mechanism of hydroxynitrilaphos biosynthesis as an example for the treasure trove of unusual enzymology involved in phosphonate metabolism. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201702904.
Cognitive performance and emotion are indifferent to ambient color
Authors: von Castell Christoph , Stelzmann Daniela , Oberfeld Daniel , Welsch Robin , Hecht Heiko
Published: September 2017

Folklore has it that ambient color has the power to relax or arouse the observer and enhance performance when executing cognitive tasks. We picked a number of commercially available colors that allegedly have the power to alter cognitive performance and the emotional state, and exposed subjects to them while solving a battery of cognitive tasks. The colors were “Cool Down Pink”, which is said to produce relaxing effects and reduce effort, “Energy Red”, allegedly enhancing performance via increased arousal, “Relaxing Blue”, which is said to enhance attention and concentration, as well as white as a control. In a between‐subjects design, a total of 170 high school students carried out five tasks (number series completion, mental rotation, and memory for word categories, word pairs, and geometrical figures) while exposed to one of the four colors. The emotional state of the subjects was measured before the beginning and at the end of the experiment. The ambient colors did not have the predicted effects, neither on cognitive performance nor on the emotional state of the participants.
Ventral neural patterning in the absence of a Shh activity gradient from the floorplate
Authors: Iulianella Angelo , Sakai Daisuke , Kurosaka Hiroshi , Trainor Paul A.
Published: September 2017

Background: Vertebrate spinal cord development requires Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling from the floorplate and notochord, where it is thought to act in concentration dependent manner to pattern distinct cell identities along the ventral‐to‐dorsal axis. While in vitro experiments demonstrate naïve neural tissues are sensitive to small changes in Shh levels, genetic studies illustrate that some degree of ventral patterning can occur despite significant perturbations in Shh signaling. Consequently, the mechanistic relationship between Shh morphogen levels and acquisition of distinct cell identities remains unclear. Results: We addressed this using Hedgehog acetyltransferase (HhatCreface) and Wiggable mouse mutants. Hhat encodes a palmitoylase required for the secretion of Hedgehog proteins and formation of the Shh gradient. In its absence, the spinal cord develops without floorplate cells and V3 interneurons. Wiggable is an allele of the Shh receptor Patched1 (Ptch1Wig) that is unable to inhibit Shh signal transduction, resulting in expanded ventral progenitor domains. Surprisingly, HhatCreface/Creface; Ptch1Wig/Wig double mutants displayed fully restored ventral patterning despite an absence of Shh secretion from the floorplate. Conclusions: The full range of neuronal progenitor types can be generated in the absence of a Shh gradient provided pathway repression is dampened, illustrating the complexity of morphogen dynamics in vertebrate patterning. Developmental Dynamics 247:170–184, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Paper‐based Electrochemical Devices Coupled to External Graphene‐Cu Nanoparticles Modified Solid Electrode through Meniscus Configuration and their Use in Biological Analysis
Authors: Petroni Jacqueline Marques , Lucca Bruno Gabriel , da Silva Júnior Luiz Carlos , Barbosa Alves Diego Carvalho , Souza Ferreira Valdir
Published: September 2017

This paper demonstrates, for the first time, the use of paper‐based electrochemical devices coupled to external solid working electrodes. The paper‐based electrochemical cells were fabricated using inexpensive and largely available office paper, according to a simple protocol that consists on the creation of hydrophobic barriers using paraffinized paper and preheated metal stamp. The counter and reference electrodes were integrated to the paper platform through the deposition of carbon and silver inks, respectively. The electrochemical paper analytical device (ePAD) was coupled to external glassy carbon rod electrode modified with reduced graphene oxide doped with Cu nanoparticles through meniscus configuration. The analytical usefulness of this electrochemical approach was demonstrated through the simultaneous determination of paracetamol and caffeine in biological samples. The analytes were successfully quantified in real urine samples and limits of detection of 24.6 nM (paracetamol) and 36.1 nM (caffeine) were obtained. The paper platform showed good stability (RSD of 1.07 % for the peak currents and 1.43 % for the peak potentials) and satisfactory performance. The use of solid electrodes coupled to paper electrochemical devices, firstly demonstrated here, opens new possibilities for the utilization of ePADs in electrochemistry and electroanalytical chemistry and offers advantages such as the extremely reduced consumption of reagents and the minimal generation of wastes.
Green field investment and environmental performance: A case of selected nine developing countries of Asia
Authors: Adeel‐Farooq Rana Muhammad , Abu Bakar Nor Aznin , Olajide Raji Jimoh
Published: September 2017

This study examines the influence of green field investment, energy consumption, economic growth and urbanization on the environmental performance of nine selected Asian developing countries over 2003–2014 period. It uses Environmental Performance Index (EPI), developed by the Yale University as proxy for environment. By applying the fixed and random effect estimators and robust least squares technique, the empirical findings show that green field investment has adverse effect on the environmental performance of the nine selected Asian developing countries. However, economic growth is found to have positive influence on the environmental performance. The results suggest that strict environmental regulations should be introduced to mitigate the detrimental effects of foreign capital in these countries and there should not be compromise on the quality of foreign capital. In addition, adequate policies should be formulated to enhance economic growth to ensure sustainable environment in these regions. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1085–1092, 2018
Spatiotemporal variations of suspended sediment transport in the upstream and midstream of the Yarlung Tsangpo River (the upper Brahmaputra), China
Authors: Shi Xiaonan , Zhang Fan , Lu Xixi , Wang Zhaoyin , Gong Tongliang , Wang Guanxing , Zhang Hongbo
Published: September 2017

The Yarlung Tsangpo River, which flows from west to east across the southern part of the Tibetan Plateau, is the longest river on the plateau and an important center for human habitation in Tibet. Suspended sediment in the river can be used as an important proxy for evaluating regional soil erosion and ecological and environmental conditions. However, sediment transport in the river is rarely reported due to data scarcity. Results from this study based on a daily dataset of 3 years from four main stream gauging stations confirmed the existence of great spatiotemporal variability in suspended sediment transport in the Yarlung Tsangpo River, under interactions of monsoon climate and topographical variability. Temporally, sediment transport or deposition mainly occurred during the summer months from July to September, accounting for 79% to 93% of annual gross sediment load. This coincided with the rainy season from June to August that accounted for 51% to 80% of annual gross precipitation and the flood period from July to September that accounted for approximately 60% of annual gross discharge. The highest specific sediment yield of 177.6 t/km2/yr occurred in the upper midstream with the highest erosion intensity. The lower midstream was dominated by deposition, trapping approximately 40% of total sediment input from its upstream area. Sediment load transported to the midstream terminus was 10.43 Mt/yr with a basin average specific sediment yield of 54 t/km2/yr. Comparison with other plateau‐originated rivers like the upper Yellow River, the upper Yangtze River, the upper Indus River, and the Mekong River indicated that sediment contribution from the studied area was very low. The results provided fundamental information for future studies on soil and water conservation and for the river basin management. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient computation of two‐dimensional steady free‐surface flows
Authors: Pethiyagoda Ravindra , Moroney Timothy J. , McCue Scott W.
Published: September 2017

We consider a family of steady free‐surface flow problems in two dimensions, concentrating on the effect of nonlinearity on the train of gravity waves that appear downstream of a disturbance. By exploiting standard complex variable techniques, these problems are formulated in terms of a coupled system of Bernoulli equation and an integral equation. When applying a numerical collocation scheme, the Jacobian for the system is dense, as the integral equation forces each of the algebraic equations to depend on each of the unknowns. We present here a strategy for overcoming this challenge, which leads to a numerical scheme that is much more efficient than what is normally used for these types of problems, allowing for many more grid points over the free surface. In particular, we provide a simple recipe for constructing a sparse approximation to the Jacobian that is used as a preconditioner in a Jacobian‐free Newton‐Krylov method for solving the nonlinear system. We use this approach to compute numerical results for a variety of prototype problems including flows past pressure distributions, a surface‐piercing object and bottom topographies.
Breast cancer risk and germline genomic profiling of women with neurofibromatosis type 1 who developed breast cancer
Authors: Wang Xia , Teer Jamie K. , Tousignant Renee N. , Levin Albert M. , Boulware David , Chitale Dhananjay A. , Shaw Brandon M. , Chen Zhihua , Zhang Yonghong , Blakeley Jaishri O. , Acosta Maria T. , Messiaen Ludwine M. , Korf Bruce R. , Tainsky Michael A.
Published: September 2017

NF1 mutations predispose to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and women with NF1 have a moderately elevated risk for breast cancer, especially under age 50. Germline genomic analysis may better define the risk so screening and prevention can be applied to the individuals who benefit the most. Survey conducted in several neurofibromatosis clinics in the United States has demonstrated a 17.2% lifetime risk of breast cancer in women affected with NF1. Cumulated risk to age 50 is estimated to be 9.27%. For genomic profiling, fourteen women with NF1 and a history of breast cancer were recruited and underwent whole exome sequencing (WES), targeted genomic DNA based and RNA‐based analysis of the NF1 gene. Deleterious NF1 pathogenic variants were identified in each woman. Frameshift mutations because of deletion/duplication/complex rearrangement were found in 50% (7/14) of the cases, nonsense mutations in 21% (3/14), in‐frame splice mutations in 21% (3/14), and one case of missense mutation (7%, 1/14). No deleterious mutation was found in the following high/moderate‐penetrance breast cancer genes: ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, BARD1, BRIP1, CDH1, CHEK2, FANCC, MRE11A, NBN, PALB2, PTEN, RAD50, RAD51C, TP53, and STK11. Twenty‐five rare or common variants in cancer related genes were discovered and may have contributed to the breast cancers in these individuals. Breast cancer predisposition modifiers in women with NF1 may involve a great variety of molecular and cellular functions.
Patient satisfaction with health care services at a national institute of ophthalmology
Authors: Van Huy Nguyen , Dung Nguyen Ngoc , Thang Cao Duc , Hanh Le Thuy
Published: September 2017

Little is known about how patients in developing countries, such as Vietnam, are satisfied with eye care services. The purpose of this study was to assess the satisfaction with health services and its associated factors among patients attending a national institute of ophthalmology in Vietnam. In a cross‐sectional study utilizing quantitative methods, 500 inpatients and their relatives attending a national institute of ophthalmology in Vietnam were approached for data collection. The results indicated that under 50% of the patients were satisfied with eye care services. However, when classified by level of satisfaction, only 6.8% were very satisfied with all domains of care. There was no significant difference in satisfaction by gender and income, while significant differences by department, residence, and education were found. Patients who were from rural areas, were better educated, and used the services of the glaucoma department, were more satisfied with eye care than those from urban areas, were less educated, and used the services of treatment‐on‐demand department. Multivariable regression detected 2 main factors, gender and location, associated with patient satisfaction. Patients who were female and came from rural and remote areas were more likely to be satisfied than patients who were male and living in urban areas. The study suggests that to continue to improve health care quality, it is important to eliminate differences in providing eye care services regardless of whether patients are male or female, and whether they come from a rural or urban area.
Long‐term exposure to bisphenol S damages the visual system and reduces the tracking capability of male zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Liu Wenmin , Zhang Xiaona , Wei Penghao , Tian Hua , Wang Wei , Ru Shaoguo
Published: September 2017

Bisphenol S (BPS) is widely detected in aquatic environments and in human bodies. BPS has reproductive and thyroid disrupting effects, but its effect on the visual system remains unknown. In the present study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to BPS at concentrations of 1, 10, 100 and 1000 μg l−1 until 120 days post‐fertilization in a semistatic system, and the effect of BPS on the visual behavior was examined using the optokinetic response and the optomotor response tests in male zebrafish. The retinal histology, mRNA expression of photoreceptor opsin genes (zfrho, zfblue, zfgr1, zfred and zfuv) and apoptosis‐related genes (bax and bcl‐2) were also assessed. Long‐term BPS exposure decreased the tracking capability of male zebrafish, consistent with structural damage to the retina. BPS induced different amounts of vacuoles in the retinal pigment epithelium, and 1000 μg l−1 BPS exposure decreased the length of the inner plexiform layer, ganglion cell layer and retina, and induced an irregular arrangement of photoreceptor cells. The expression levels of the opsin genes (zfred, zfgr1 and zfrho) were significantly elevated, indicating an enhanced spectral sensitivity to red, green and dim light to compensate for the reduction of the optomotor response. Together, the results showed for the first time that long‐term exposure to BPS damaged the structure of male zebrafish retina and reduced their tracking capability.
Three‐dimensional reconstruction of the pharyngeal gland cells in the predatory nematode Pristionchus pacificus
Authors: Riebesell Metta , Sommer Ralf J.
Published: September 2017

Pristionchus pacificus is a model system in evolutionary biology and for comparison to Caenorhabditis elegans. As a necromenic nematode often found in association with scarab beetles, P. pacificus exhibits omnivorous feeding that is characterized by a mouth‐form dimorphism, an example of phenotypic plasticity. Eurystomatous animals have a dorsal and a sub‐ventral tooth enabling predatory feeding on other nematodes whereas stenostomatous animals have only a dorsal tooth and are microbivorous. Both mouth forms of P. pacificus, like all members of the Diplogastridae family, lack the grinder in the terminal bulb of the pharynx resulting in a fundamentally different organization of several pharynx‐associated structures. Here, we describe the three‐dimensional reconstruction of the pharyngeal gland cells in P. pacificus based on serial transmission electron microscopical analysis of 2527 sections of 50 nm thickness. In comparison to C. elegans, P. pacificus lacks two gland cells (g2) usually associated with grinder function, whereas the three gland cells of g1 (g1D, g1VL, and g1VR) are very prominent. The largest expansion is seen for g1D, which has an anterior process that opens into the buccal cavity through a canal in the dorsal tooth. We provide the morphological description and fine structural analysis of the P. pacificus gland cells, the behavior of the pharynx and preliminary insight into exocytosis of gland cell vesicles in P. pacificus.
Seasonal variations in the profile of main phospholipids in Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels: A study by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry
Authors: Facchini Laura , Losito Ilario , Cataldi Tommaso R.I. , Palmisano Francesco
Published: September 2017

A systematic characterization of phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines in mussels of sp Mytilus galloprovincialis was performed by high‐efficiency hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization and Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS), based on a quadrupole‐Orbitrap hybrid spectrometer. The FTMS/MS experiments under high collisional energy dissociation conditions, complemented by low‐energy collisionally induced dissociation MSn (n = 2,3) experiments, performed in a linear ion trap mass spectrometer, were exploited for structural elucidation purposes. The described approach led to an unprecedented characterization of the mussel phospholipidome, with 185 phosphatidylcholines and 131 phosphatidylethanolamines species recognized, distributed among diacylic, plasmanylic, and plasmenylic forms. This was the starting point for the evaluation of the effects of season (in particular, of sea temperature) on the profile of those phospholipids. To this aim, a set of mussel samples retrieved from commercial sources in different periods of the year was considered. Principal component analysis revealed a clear separation between samples collected in periods characterized by cold, intermediate, or warm sea temperatures, respectively. In particular, an enrichment in phospholipids containing unsaturated side chains was observed in mussels collected from cold seawaters (winter‐early spring), thus confirming the general model previously elaborated to explain the adaptation of marine invertebrates, including some bivalve molluscs, to low temperatures. On the other hand, relevant levels of plasma(e)nylic and acylic phospholipids bearing either saturated or non‐methylene‐interrupted side chains were found in mussels collected in warm seawaters (typical of summer and early autumn, at Italian latitudes). This finding opened interesting perspectives towards the development of strategies able to prevent global warming–related mussel losses in aquacultural plants.
MCPIP1 attenuates the innate immune response to influenza A virus by suppressing RIG‐I expression in lung epithelial cells
Authors: Sun Xiaoning , Feng Wenjing , Guo Yidi , Wang Qi , Dong Chunyan , Zhang Maolin , Guan Zhenhong , Duan Ming
Published: September 2017

The pattern recognition receptor retinoic acid‐inducible gene I (RIG‐I) reportedly plays a key role in sensing influenza A virus (IAV) infection and activating type I interferon (IFN) response. MCP‐1‐induced protein 1 (MCPIP1) can directly degrade cytokine mRNAs, such as IL‐6, IL‐12, IL‐1β, and IL‐2, by functioning as an RNase. Here, we initially observed that MCPIP1 exhibited virus supportive functions later in the course of IAV infection in A549 cells, and negatively regulated IAV‐induced RIG‐I‐dependent innate antiviral response. Exogenous overexpression of MCPIP1 suppressed the expression of RIG‐I, whereas shRNA‐mediated inhibition of endogenous MCPIP1 enhanced RIG‐I expression. The results of experiments with actinomycin D and luciferase assay demonstrated that MCPIP1 reduced RIG‐I expression through destabilizing its mRNA. Various mutants of functional domains of MCPIP1 further confirmed that the inhibitory effect of MCPIP1 on RIG‐I expression required RNase activity but not deubiquitinase activity. Finally, the overexpression of several IAV proteins, which have the ability to inhibit the host IFN response at different levels, induced MCPIP1 expression, especially non‐structural protein 1 (NS1). Conclusively, these data demonstrate the MCPIP1 contributes to attenuate IAV‐induced host antiviral response by suppressing RIG‐I expression.