bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring Sphingolipid Trafficking in Cells using Fluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Sundberg Emma L. , Deng Yongqiang , Burd Christopher G. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSphingolipids are structural components of organelle membranes that also participate in signal transduction pathways. Complex sphingolipids are trafficked from their site of synthesis in organelles of the early secretory pathway to the Golgi apparatus, the plasma membrane, and the endo‐lysosomal system. We have developed fluorescence microscopy–based methods to monitor sphingolipid trafficking in coordination with secretory protein sorting. A sphingomyelin binding protein fused to a fluorescent protein, which we term “EQ‐SM,” is implemented to monitor sphingomyelin trafficking from the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane via secretory vesicles. A protocol is provided to determine if a query protein of interest is secreted from the cell via vesicles enriched in EQ‐SM, an indication that the vesicle membrane is enriched in sphingomyelin. A complementary protocol is described that implements a chemically modified form of sphingosine, a metabolic precursor to complex sphingolipids, to visualize ceramide and complex sphingolipids in fixed cells. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Light Influence on the Sheet Resistance of AlGaN/GaN Heterostructures Grown by MOVPE Technique
Authors: Pokryszka Piotr , Szymanski Tomasz , Paszkiewicz Bogdan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSheet resistance is the most commonly used electrical parameters of thin films; the special feature of sheet resistance is its scalability that is often used in the qualitative assessment of its usefulness. That is why it is so often used as an electrical parameter in the evaluation of created layers by various epitaxial methods. In materials based on AIIIN compounds, there is a built‐in electric field that disturbs the electrical charge inside the heterostructure. The perturbed distribution of electrical charge inside the heterostructure creates donor states on the surface that increase the surface resistance value. The paper presents the influence of UV radiation on surface states affecting the sheet resistance of AlGaN/GaN heterostructures. Based on the presented method, influence of light on sheet resistance is examined and spectral characteristics of AlGaN/GaN heterostructure are obtained. Measurements are performed using the Hall Bar test structure fabricated in AlGaN/GaN heterostructure grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy methods. The Hall bar test structures are investigated at room temperature under the light excitation in the range from 280 to 640 nm.
Understanding the Roles of NiOx in Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Performance of BiVO4 Photoanodes for Solar Water Splitting
Authors: Zhang Mengyuan , Antony Rajini P. , Chiam Sing Yang , Abdi Fatwa Firdaus , Wong Lydia Helena 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSolar water oxidation is considered as a promising method for efficient utilization of solar energy and bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is a potential photoanode. Catalyst loading on BiVO4 is often used to tackle the limitations of charge recombination and sluggish kinetics. In this study, amorphous nickel oxide (NiOx) is loaded onto Mo‐doped BiVO4 by photochemical metal–organic deposition method. The resulting NiOx/Mo:BiVO4 photoanodes demonstrate a two‐fold improvement in photocurrent density (2.44 mA cm−2) at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) compared with the uncatalyzed samples. After NiOx modification the charge‐separation and charge‐transfer efficiencies improve significantly across the entire potential range. It is further elucidated by open‐circuit photovoltage (OCP), time‐resolved‐microwave conductivity (TRMC), and rapid‐scan voltammetry (RSV) measurements that NiOx modification induces larger band bending and promotes efficient charge transfer on the surface of BiVO4. This work provides insight into designing BiVO4‐catalyst assemblies by using a simple surface‐modification route for efficient solar water oxidation.
Molecular and Synaptic Bases of CDKL5 Disorder
Authors: Zhu Yong‐Chuan , Xiong Zhi‐Qi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe X‐linked gene cyclin‐dependent kinase‐like 5 (CDKL5) encodes a serine/threonine kinase abundantly expressed in the brain. Mutations in CDKL5 have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by early‐onset epileptic encephalopathy and severe intellectual disability, suggesting that CDKL5 plays important roles in brain development and function. Recent studies using cultured neurons, knockout mice, and human iPSC‐derived neurons have demonstrated that CDKL5 regulates axon outgrowth, dendritic morphogenesis, and synapse formation. The role of CDKL5 in maintaining synaptic function in the mature brain has also begun to emerge. Moreover, mouse models that are deficient for CDKL5 recapitulate some of the key clinical phenotypes in human patients. Here we review these findings related to the function of CDKL5 in the brain and discuss the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms.
Using ring‐recovery and within‐season recapture data to estimate fecundity and population growth
Authors: Arnold Todd W. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTag‐recovery data from organisms captured and marked post breeding are commonly used to estimate juvenile and adult survival. If annual fecundity could also be estimated, tagging studies such as European and North American bird‐ringing schemes could provide all parameters needed to estimate population growth. I modified existing tag‐recovery models to allow estimation of annual fecundity using age composition and recapture probabilities obtained during routine banding operations of northern pintails (Anas acuta) and dark‐eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis), and I conducted simulations to assess estimator performance in relation to sample size. For pintails, population growth rate from band‐recovery data (λ = 0.93, SD: 0.06) was similar but less precise than count‐based estimates from the Waterfowl Breeding Pair and Habitat Survey (λ: 0.945, SE: 0.001). Models with temporal variation in vital rates indicated that annual population growth in pintails was driven primarily by variation in fecundity. Juncos had lower survival but greater fecundity, and their estimated population growth rate (λ: 1.01, SD: 0.19) was consistent with count‐based surveys (λ: 0.986). Simulations indicated that reliable (CV < 0.10) estimates of fecundity could be obtained with >1,000 within‐season live encounters. Although precision of survival estimates depended primarily on numbers of adult recoveries, estimates of fecundity and population growth were most sensitive to total number of live encounters. Synthesis and applications: Large‐scale ring‐recovery programs could be used to estimate annual fecundity in many species of birds, but the approach requires better data curation, including accurate assessment of age, better reporting of banding totals, and greater emphasis on obtaining and reporting within‐season live encounters.
People with low back pain show reduced movement complexity during their most active daily tasks
Authors: Gizzi Leonardo , Röhrle Oliver , Petzke Frank , Falla Deborah 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundActigraphy is a quantitative method for the investigation of human physical activity and is normally based on accelerometric and/or kinematic data.MethodsA multichannel actigraphy system, able to record both acceleration and spine angles, was employed in this study to measure the quality of movement in 17 individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP) and 18 healthy individuals during unrestricted daily activities. An indication of movement complexity was computed by means of non‐negative matrix factorization throughout the 24 hr period and in the 60 min of highest activity.ResultsMovement complexity differed only when the 60 min of highest activity was taken into account, with the LBP group showing reduced complexity (e.g., for dimensionality = 8, over 90% of the comparisons showed a significant reduction in the LBP group).ConclusionsThe results are compatible with the hypothesis that pain induces a reduction in the available kinematic trajectories and degrees of freedom during natural movements, which becomes more evident when more demanding tasks are performed. A reduced movement complexity suggests a persistent alteration of the descending neural pathways and/or a disrupted somatosensory information processing, which could be possibly contrasted by administering highly variable motor tasks.SignificancePeople with chronic pain move differently. Movement quality is difficult to evaluate during daily activities, yet it may prove more informative than quantitative measurements. We proposed a new approach for computing movement complexity and found out that patients’ movements get more stereotyped when higher spinal acceleration is required.
Graphite/Nanocrystalline Zeolite Platform for Selective Electrochemical Determination of Hepatitis C Inhibitor Ledipasvir
Authors: Atty Shimaa A. , Mohamed Mona A. , Abd El Halim Lobna M. , Fouad Fatma A. , Boukherroub Rabah 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA simple and efficient procedure is described for the electrochemical determination of ledipasvir (LDP) in presence of co‐formulated drug sofosbuvir (SOF). Herein, a highly sensitive, low‐cost electrochemical protocol was utilized to fabricate a zeolite modified carbon paste electrode (ZY/CPE) through mixing of zeolite nanostructures with graphite powder. The fabricated sensor displayed high sensitivity, allowing optimal charge transfer/electrode kinetics. Different experimental and chemical factors, including electrode composition, effect of pH, scan rate and amount of ZY were evaluated carefully to obtain the highest electrochemical response. Under optimized conditions and using square wave voltammetry (SWV), the current response of the ZY/CPE electrochemical sensing platform exhibited a detection limit of 7.5×10−9 M and a large linear range from 5.0×10−8 to 1.0×10−4 M. The practical applicability of the suggested electrochemical platform was verified in the assessment of LDP in pharmaceutical formulations with excellent recoveries in the range of 99.50–98.87 %. Moreover, a biological relevance of the developed sensor was established by the analysis of LDP in human urine and plasma samples with satisfactory recoveries of 99.00 and 99.68 %, respectively. Due to the simplicity and ease of preparation of the proposed sensor, it can be used in quality control laboratories and for clinical analysis.
On‐line electroextraction in capillary electrophoresis: Application on the determination of glutamic acid in soy sauces
Authors: Campos Camila D. M. , Reyes Felix G. R. , Manz Andreas , da Silva José A. F. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe present an on‐line, single step coupling between liquid‐liquid extraction and capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection, which allows an efficient analysis of complex food matrices with high sodium content. The sodium depletion was demonstrated using an aqueous two‐phase system. The aqueous two‐phase system enables the electrically driven extraction of the target compounds. The sample was prepared in Dextran‐rich phase (8% w/v 500 kDa Dextran, DEX). The background electrolyte (acetic acid 5.0 mol/L) contained 6% w/v of 6 kDa PEG. As proof of applicability, we employed the developed method for glutamic acid quantification on soy sauces. The peak area of glutamic acid presents no significant difference (α = 0.05), while the peak area of the sodium presented a reduction of 11.7 ± 0.2 and 19 ± 3% for premium and low‐cost soy sauce samples analyzed. The glutamic acid concentration for premium soy sauce sample was 2.7 ± 0.8 and 4.8 ± 0.4 g/L, and for low‐cost soy sauce sample, the concentration was 9.9 ± 0.9 g/L, which agreed with those obtained by other analytical techniques.
A companion to the preclinical common data elements and case report forms for rodent EEG studies. A report of the TASK3 EEG Working Group of the ILAE/AES Joint Translational Task Force
Authors: Ono Tomonori , Wagenaar Joost , Giorgi Filippo S. , Fabera Petr , Hanaya Ryosuke , Jefferys John , Moyer Jason T. , Harte‐Hargrove Lauren C. , Galanopoulou Aristea S. 
Published: September 2018

SummaryElectroencephalography (EEG) is commonly used in epilepsy and neuroscience research to study brain activity. The principles of EEG recording such as signal acquisition, digitization, and conditioning share similarities between animal and clinical EEG systems. In contrast, preclinical EEG studies demonstrate more variability and diversity than clinical studies in the types and locations of EEG electrodes, methods of data analysis, and scoring of EEG patterns and associated behaviors. The TASK3 EEG working group of the International League Against Epilepsy/American Epilepsy Society (ILAE/AES) Joint Translational Task Force has developed a set of preclinical common data elements (CDEs) and case report forms (CRFs) for recording, analysis, and scoring of animal EEG studies. This companion document accompanies the first set of proposed preclinical EEG CRFs and is intended to clarify the CDEs included in these worksheets. We provide 7 CRF and accompanying CDE modules for use by the research community, covering video acquisition, electrode information, experimental scheduling, and scoring of EEG activity. For ease of use, all data elements and input ranges are defined in supporting Excel charts (Appendix S1).
Long noncoding RNA HOTAIR is upregulated in an aggressive subgroup of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and mediates the establishment of gene‐specific DNA methylation patterns
Authors: Bure Irina , Geer Sandra , Knopf Jasmin , Roas Maike , Henze Sabine , Ströbel Philipp , Agaimy Abbas , Wiemann Stefan , Hoheisel Jörg D. , Hartmann Arndt , Haller Florian , Moskalev Evgeny A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAberrant alterations of DNA methylation are common events in oncogenesis. The origin of cancer‐associated epigenetic defects is of interest for mechanistic understanding of malignant transformation and—in the long run—therapeutic modulation of DNA methylation in a locus‐specific manner. Given the ability of certain long noncoding RNAs to operate as an interface between DNA and the epigenetic modification machinery which can interact with DNA methyltransferases, we hypothesized—considering HOTAIR as an example—that this transcript may contribute to gene specificity of DNA methylation. Using gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs, n = 67) as a model, we confirmed upregulation of HOTAIR in tumors with high risk of recurrence and showed high abundance of the transcript in GIST cell lines. HOTAIR knockdown in GIST‐T1 cells triggered transcriptional response of genes involved in the organization and disassembly of the extracellular matrix and, notably, induced global locus‐specific alterations of DNA methylation patterns. Hypomethylation was induced at a total of 507 CpG sites, whereas 382 CpG dinucleotides underwent gain of methylation upon HOTAIR depletion. Importantly, orchestrated gain or loss of methylation at multiple individual CpG sites was shown for cancer‐related DPP4, RASSF1, ALDH1A3, and other targets. Collectively, our data indicate that HOTAIR enables target specificity of DNA methylation in GIST and is capable of dual (hypo‐ and hypermethylation) regulation by a yet to be defined mechanism. The results further suggest the feasibility of manipulating DNA methylation in a targeted manner and are of interest in the context of epigenetic cancer therapy.
Timely diagnosis of dementia? Family carers' experiences in 5 European countries
Authors: Woods Bob , Arosio Francesca , Diaz Ana , Gove Dianne , Holmerová Iva , Kinnaird Lindsay , Mátlová Martina , Okkonen Eila , Possenti Mario , Roberts Jennifer , Salmi Anna , van den Buuse Susanne , Werkman Wendy , Georges Jean 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesTimely diagnosis of dementia is recommended in national strategies. To what extent is it occurring across Europe, what factors are associated with it, and what is the impact on carers emotions of quality of diagnostic disclosure?Methods/designSurvey of family carers recruited through 5 Alzheimer's associations (Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Scotland). One thousand four hundred and nine carers participated, 84% completing online. Fifty‐two percent were adult children, and 37% were spouses, with median age 57. Most (83%) were female.ResultsNearly half (47%) of carers reported that an earlier diagnosis would have been preferable. Delaying factors included reluctance of the person with dementia, lack of awareness of dementia, the response of professionals, and delays within health systems. Recent diagnoses were no more likely to be considered timely, although professional responses appeared to be improving. Delayed diagnoses were more often reported by adult child carers and where the diagnosis was made in the later stages of dementia, or another condition had been previously diagnosed. In all countries except Italy, the diagnosis was shared with the person with dementia in the majority of cases. Timely diagnoses and higher quality diagnostic disclosure are associated with better adjustment and less negative emotional impact on carers in the short and medium term.ConclusionsAlthough the study sample were well educated and likely to be in touch with an Alzheimer organisation, many continued to experience the diagnosis of dementia as coming too late, and further work on public awareness, as well as on professional responses, is needed.
Memory Image Completion: Establishing a task to behaviorally assess pattern completion in humans
Authors: Vieweg Paula , Riemer Martin , Berron David , Wolbers Thomas 
Published: September 2018

AbstractFor memory retrieval, pattern completion is a crucial process that restores memories from partial or degraded cues. Neurocognitive aging models suggest that the aged memory system is biased toward pattern completion, resulting in a behavioral preference for retrieval over encoding of memories. Here, we built on our previously developed behavioral recognition memory paradigm—the Memory Image Completion (MIC) task—a task to specifically target pattern completion. First, we used the original design with concurrent eye‐tracking in order to rule out perceptual confounds that could interact with recognition performance. Second, we developed parallel versions of the task to accommodate test settings in clinical environments or longitudinal studies. The results show that older adults have a deficit in pattern completion ability with a concurrent bias toward pattern completion. Importantly, eye‐tracking data during encoding could not account for age‐related performance differences. At retrieval, spatial viewing patterns for both age groups were more driven by stimulus identity than by response choice, but compared to young adults, older adults' fixation patterns overlapped more between stimuli that they (wrongly) thought had the same identity. This supports the observation that older adults choose responses perceived as similar to a learned stimulus, indicating a bias toward pattern completion. Additionally, two shorter versions of the task yielded comparable results, and no general learning effects were observed for repeated testing. Together, we present evidence that the MIC is a reliable behavioral task that targets pattern completion, that is easily and repeatedly applicable, and that is made freely available online.
Explaining trust in large biometric infrastructures: A critical realist case study of India's Aadhaar project
Authors: Masiero Silvia 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe need for formulation of solid explanatory theories is heightened in information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) by the high incidence of failure, which involves substantial costs for the countries affected. A core argument of this paper is that a critical realist ontology offers intellectual tools that can ground the formulation of causal theory in ICT4D. The paper illustrates such potential through the case study of India's Unique Identity Project (Aadhaar), which Indian states are increasingly using within their anti‐poverty programmes. Following a critical realist retroductive methodology, the paper seeks to explain the incorporation of Aadhaar into India's main food security system, the Public Distribution System; an incorporation somewhat paradoxical given the mistrust often associated with biometric infrastructures in social protection. Critical realism allows construction of a theory of trust‐building in Aadhaar, based on mechanisms of institutionalisation (state governments framing Aadhaar as a core institutional means to receive benefits) and image formation (authorities systemically associating Aadhaar with an image of effective pro‐poor reform). Based on primary and secondary data collected over the course of six years, this paper contributes a theoretical explanation of an important phenomenon in Indian development, and illustrates how a critical realist philosophy is instrumental in building the type of causal theory that is needed in ICT4D.
Four steps to identify mechanisms of ICT4D: A critical realism‐based methodology
Authors: Thapa Devinder , Omland Hans Olav 
Published: September 2018

AbstractQuestions such as ‘What is ICT?’ and ‘What is development?’ are relatively well‐answered and well‐documented in literature but work connecting the two has been limited. Existing ICT4D studies tend to be descriptive or prescriptive in nature, and hence the explanation of how and why ICT works in the contexts of developing countries needs further investigation. ICT cannot by itself lead to development: it has to be deployed by actors in a given social, political, cultural, and technical context, under conditions at the time of deployment. The interplay of the above‐mentioned elements in any given development situation relies on underlying mechanisms that may explain how and why ICT leads to development. Therefore, it is important to investigate questions like “What mechanisms link ICT and development?” and “How do we identify these mechanisms?”. To research and answer these questions, we propose a critical realism‐based four‐step methodological approach. The core idea of the critical realism‐based approach suggested in this study is to identify the underlying mechanism (s), particularly in ICT4D contexts, to explain how and why ICT leads to development. We illustrate the proposed methodology by applying it in a case study from Nepal.