bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Voltage‐Gated Human Kv11.1 Potassium Channels Interact through a Novel Mechanism
Authors: Piscopo Stefania , Brown Euan R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMembrane–nanoparticle interactions are important in determining the effects of manufactured nanomaterials on cell physiology and pathology. Here, silica, titanium, zinc, and magnesium oxide nanoparticles are screened against human hERG (Kv11.1) voltage‐gated potassium channels under a whole‐cell voltage clamp. 10 µg mL−1 ZnO uniquely increases the amplitude of the steady‐state current, decreases the rate of hERG current inactivation during steady‐state depolarization, accelerates channel deactivation during resurgent tail currents, and shows no significant alteration of current activation rate or voltage dependence. In contrast, ZnCl2 causes increased current suppression with increasing concentration and fails to replicate the nanoparticle effect on decreasing inactivation. The results show a novel class of nanoparticle–biomembrane interaction involving channel gating rather than channel block, and have implications for the use of nanoparticles in biomedicine, drug delivery applications, and nanotoxicology.
Unravelling the Elusive Antiferromagnetic Order in Wurtzite and Zinc Blende CoO Polymorph Nanoparticles
Authors: Roca Alejandro G. , Golosovsky Igor V. , Winkler Elin , López‐Ortega Alberto , Estrader Marta , Zysler Roberto D. , Baró María Dolors , Nogués Josep 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAlthough cubic rock salt‐CoO has been extensively studied, the magnetic properties of the main nanoscale CoO polymorphs (hexagonal wurtzite and cubic zinc blende structures) are rather poorly understood. Here, a detailed magnetic and neutron diffraction study on zinc blende and wurtzite CoO nanoparticles is presented. The zinc blende‐CoO phase is antiferromagnetic with a 3rd type structure in a face‐centered cubic lattice and a Néel temperature of TN (zinc‐blende) ≈225 K. Wurtzite‐CoO also presents an antiferromagnetic order, TN (wurtzite) ≈109 K, although much more complex, with a 2nd type order along the c‐axis but an incommensurate order along the y‐axis. Importantly, the overall magnetic properties are overwhelmed by the uncompensated spins, which confer the system a ferromagnetic‐like behavior even at room temperature.
A Monolithic Force‐Sensitive 3D Microgripper Fabricated on the Tip of an Optical Fiber Using 2‐Photon Polymerization
Authors: Power Maura , Thompson Alex J. , Anastasova Salzitsa , Yang Guang‐Zhong 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMicroscale robotic devices have myriad potential applications including drug delivery, biosensing, cell manipulation, and microsurgery. In this work, a tethered, 3D, compliant grasper with an integrated force sensor is presented, the entirety of which is fabricated on the tip of an optical fiber in a single‐step process using 2‐photon polymerization. This gripper can prove useful for the interrogation of biological microstructures such as alveoli, villi, or even individual cells. The position of the passively actuated grasper is controlled via micromanipulation of the optical fiber, and the microrobotic device measures approximately 100 µm in length and breadth. The force estimation is achieved using optical interferometry: high‐dimensional spectral readings are used to train artificial neural networks to predict the axial force exerted on/by the gripper. The design, characterization, and testing of the grasper are described and its real‐time force‐sensing capability with an accuracy below 2.7% of the maximum calibrated force is demonstrated.
Fatty Acid/Phospholipid Blended Membranes: A Potential Intermediate State in Protocellular Evolution
Authors: Jin Lin , Kamat Neha P. , Jena Siddhartha , Szostak Jack W. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPrior to the evolution of membrane proteins, intrinsic membrane stability and permeability to polar solutes are essential features of a primitive cell membrane. These features are difficult to achieve simultaneously in model protocells made of either pure fatty acid or phospholipid membranes, raising the intriguing question of how the transition from fatty acid to phospholipid membranes might have occurred while continuously supporting encapsulated reactions required for genomic replication. Here, the properties of a blended membrane system composed of both oleic acid (OA), a monoacyl fatty acid, and 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (POPC), a diacyl phospholipid are described. This hybrid vesicle system exhibits high stability to divalent cations (Mg2+), while simultaneously maintaining its permeability to small charged molecules such as nucleotides and divalent ions such as Mg2+. This combination of features facilitates key reactions expected to occur during a transition from primitive to modern cells, including nonenzymatic RNA replication, and is also compatible with highly evolved functions such as the ribosomal translation of a protein. The observations support the hypothesis that the early transition from fatty acid to phospholipid membranes could be accomplished through intermediate states in which membranes are composed of amphiphile mixtures, and do not require protein transporters.
Electric Power Generation through the Direct Interaction of Pristine Graphene‐Oxide with Water Molecules
Authors: Xu Tong , Ding Xiaoteng , Shao Changxiang , Song Long , Lin Tengyu , Gao Xue , Xue Jiangli , Zhang Zhipan , Qu Liangti 
Published: February 2018

AbstractConverting ubiquitous environmental energy into electric power holds tremendous social and financial interests. Traditional energy harvesters and converters are limited by the specific materials and complex configuration of devices. Herein, it is presented that electric power can be directly produced from pristine graphene oxide (GO) without any pretreatment or additives once encountering the water vapor, which will generate an open‐circuit‐voltage of up to 0.4–0.7 V and a short‐circuit‐current‐density of 2–25 µA cm−2 on a single piece of GO film. This phenomenon results from the directional movement of charged hydrogen ions through the GO film. The present work demonstrates and provides an extremely simple method for electric energy generation, which offers more applications of graphene‐based materials in green energy converting field.
Individual‐Based Modeling of Delta Smelt Population Dynamics in the Upper San Francisco Estuary III. Effects of Entrainment Mortality and Changes in Prey
Authors: Kimmerer Wim J. , Rose Kenneth A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe used an individual‐based model, developed previously for the endangered, endemic Delta Smelt Hypomesus transpacificus, to investigate two factors widely believed to affect its abundance in the San Francisco Estuary: entrainment in large water diversion facilities and declines and species shifts in their zooplankton prey. Previous analyses suggested that these factors had substantial effects on the Delta Smelt population, although evidence is accumulating that other factors, such as contaminants and predation, are also having effects. Simulations were performed for 1995–2005 with either entrainment mortality set to zero or zooplankton biomasses replaced with values sampled from pre‐decline years. The detailed individual‐based and spatial model output was summarized as the annual finite population growth rate (λ). Eliminating entrainment mortality increased the geometric mean λ by 39% through increased survival of larvae and adults. Substituting historical food for present‐day food resulted in variable annual λ values with a geometric mean that was 41% greater than the baseline value (14–81% across 10 alternative food scenarios). Historical food caused higher juvenile consumption and growth rates, leading to larger recruits, earlier maturity, and higher individual fecundity. These results were robust to four sets of simulations using alternative formulations for density dependence, mortality, maturity, and larval growth.
Nonsalmonid versus Salmonid Passage at Nature‐Like and Pool‐and‐Weir Fishways in Atlantic Canada, with Special Attention to Rainbow Smelt
Authors: Landsman Sean J. , McLellan Nic , Platts Jonathan , van den Heuvel Michael R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn recent years, fish passage efforts have begun shifting away from targeting salmonids and instead toward passing entire fish communities, including nonsalmonids. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of a nature‐like fishway and a pool‐and‐weir fishway at passing Rainbow SmeltOsmerus mordax(2014 and 2016) and Brook TroutSalvelinus fontinalis(2015 and 2016). Both fishways are located at the same dam on the Glenfinnan River, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Fish werePIT‐tagged, and their movements were tracked using stationaryPITantennas. Results indicated that passage efficiency at the pool‐and‐weir fishway was 0% for Rainbow Smelt in both years. In contrast, 100% and 99.2% of Brook Trout passed the pool‐and‐weir fishway in 2015 and 2016, respectively. At the nature‐like fishway, the highest passage efficiency measured for Rainbow Smelt was 28.6% (2016) and was not significantly different between years. In comparison, 100% and 91.7% of Brook Trout passed the nature‐like fishway in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Additionally, attempts to improve attraction efficiency at the nature‐like fishway by directing more water toward the fishway's entrance and removing instream debris were made in 2015, but attraction efficiency did not differ between 2014 and 2016. Finally, Rainbow Smelt were also observed spawning throughout the nature‐like fishway. This study adds to the growing evidence that fishways designed specifically for salmonids can be inappropriate for nonsalmonids. Data indicate that although some passage of Rainbow Smelt was noted at the nature‐like fishway relative to the pool‐and‐weir fishway, overall passage was low. Future efforts directed at improving passage should focus on adjusting the entrance location of the nature‐like fishway. Despite low overall passage for Rainbow Smelt, the presence of spawning adults within the nature‐like fishway suggests that the fishway itself provides suitable spawning habitat and that fishway performance evaluation should take this into consideration.
Niclosamide, an oral antihelmintic drug, exhibits antimetastatic activity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through downregulating twist‐mediated CD10 expression
Authors: Chien Ming‐Hsien , Ho Yung‐Chuan , Yang Shun‐Fa , Yang Yi‐Chieh , Lai Szu‐Yu , Chen Wan‐Shen , Chen Ming‐Jenn , Yeh Chao‐Bin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world, especially, in eastern Asia, and its prognosis is poor once metastasis occurs. Niclosamide, a US Food and Drug Administration‐approved antihelmintic drug, was shown to inhibit the growth of various cancers including HCC, but the effect of niclosamide on cell motility and the underlying mechanism have not yet been completely defined. The present study demonstrated that niclosamide, at 0–40 nM, concentration‐dependently inhibited wound closure and the migratory/invasive capacities of human Huh7 and SK‐Hep‐1 HCC cells without exhibiting cytotoxicity. A protease array analysis showed that CD10 was dramatically downregulated in Huh7 cells after niclosamide treatment. Western blot and flow cytometric assays further demonstrated that CD10 expression was concentration‐dependently downregulated in Huh7 and SK‐Hep‐1 cells after niclosamide treatment. Mechanistic investigations found that niclosamide suppressed Twist‐mediated CD10 transactivation. Moreover, knockdown of CD10 expression by CD10 small interfering RNA in HCC cells suppressed cell migratory/invasive abilities and overexpression of CD10 relieved the migration inhibition induced by niclosamide. Taken together, our results indicated that niclosamide could be a potential agent for inhibiting metastasis of HCC, and CD10 is an important target of niclosamide for suppressing the motility of HCC cells.
Zielgruppenspezifische Darstellung von Hochwassergefahren und -risiko
Authors: Wenk Martin , Neuhold Clemens , Fuchs Sven 
Published: February 2018

Zusammenfassung
Mittels der Richtlinie 2007/60/EG über die Bewertung und das Management von Hochwasserrisiken soll der Übergang vom Hochwasserschutz hin zum Hochwasserrisikomanagement in den Ländern der Europäischen Union forciert werden. Die Erstellung von Hochwassergefahren- und Hochwasserrisikokarten folgt dabei der Zielsetzung, einerseits eine weitgehend homogene Darstellung von Hochwassergefahren und Hochwasserrisiken als Planungsgrundlage für die Mitgliedstaaten hervorzugbringen und andererseits ein Instrument zur Information der Bevölkerung über die individuelle Hochwassersituation zu etablieren. Als Informationsmedium sollen die Karten zur Bewusstseinsbildung in der Bevölkerung beitragen und Entscheidungsträgerinnen und -trägern eine Grundlage für Entschlüsse liefern. Bezüglich der Ausgestaltung der Hochwassergefahren- und Risikokarten bietet die Umsetzung der Hochwasserrichtlinie Flexibilität, da die Richtlinie entsprechend dem Subsidiaritätsprinzip den Mitgliedstaaten nur wenige spezifische Vorgaben und mehrheitlich einen Rahmen für die Darstellung der Inhalte vorgibt. Im folgenden Beitrag wird deshalb anhand der Situation in Österreich aufgezeigt, dass verschiedene Endnutzer unterschiedliche Bedürfnisse an Karteninhalte haben, und wie diese unterschiedlichen Bedürfnisse bei der Kartenerstellung berücksichtigt werden können. Abschließend finden sich Empfehlungen für eine zielgruppenspezifische Optimierung der für die Republik Österreich vorhandenen Karteninhalte und -darstellungen.
Disorders of spermatogenesis
Authors: Tüttelmann Frank , Ruckert Christian , Röpke Albrecht 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Infertility is a common condition estimated to affect 10–15% of couples. The clinical causes are attributed in equal parts to the male and female partners. Diagnosing male infertility mostly relies on semen (and hormone) analysis, which results in classification into the two major phenotypes of oligo- and azoospermia. The clinical routine analyses have not changed over the last 20 years and comprise screening for chromosomal aberrations and Y‑chromosomal azoospermia factor deletions. These tests establish a causal genetic diagnosis in about 4% of unselected men in infertile couples and 20% of azoospermic men. Gene sequencing is currently only performed in very rare cases of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and the CFTR gene is routinely analysed in men with obstructive azoospermia. Still, a large number of genes have been proposed to be associated with male infertility by, for example, knock-out mouse models. In particular, those that are exclusively expressed in the testes are potential candidates for further analyses. However, the genome-wide analyses (a few array-CGH, six GWAS, and some small exome sequencing studies) performed so far have not lead to improved clinical diagnostic testing. In 2017, we started to routinely analyse the three validated male infertility genes: NR5A1, DMRT1, and TEX11. Preliminary analyses demonstrated highly likely pathogenic mutations in these genes as a cause of azoospermia in 4 men, equalling 5% of the 80 patients analysed so far, and increasing the diagnostic yield in this group to 25%. Over the past few years, we have observed a steep increase in publications on novel candidate genes for male infertility, especially in men with azoospermia. In addition, concerted efforts to achieve progress in elucidating genetic causes of male infertility and to introduce novel testing strategies into clinical routine have been made recently. Thus, we are confident that major breakthroughs concerning the genetics of male infertility will be achieved in the near future and will translate into clinical routine to improve patient/couple care.
Density, Viscosity and Velocity (Ascent Rate) of Alkaline Magmas
Authors: Kokandakar Gaurav J. , Ghodke Sachin S. , Rathna K. , More Laxman B. , Nagaraju B. , Bhosle Munjaji V. , Kumar K. Vijaya 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT
Three distinct alkaline magmas, represented by shonkinite, lamprophyre and alkali basalt dykes, characterize a significant magmatic expression of rift-related mantle-derived igneous activity in the Mesoproterozoic Prakasam Alkaline Province, SE India. In the present study we have estimated emplacement velocities (ascent rates) for these three varied alkaline magmas and compared with other silicate magmas to explore composition control on the ascent rates. The alkaline dykes have variable widths and lengths with none of the dykes wider than 1 m. The shonkinites are fine- to medium-grained rocks with clinopyroxene, phologopite, amphibole, K-feldspar perthite and nepheline as essential minerals. They exhibit equigranular hypidiomorphic to foliated textures. Lamprophyres and alkali basalts characteristically show porphyritic textures. Olivine, clinopyroxene, amphibole and biotite are distinct phenocrysts in lamprophyres whereas olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase form the phenocrystic mineralogy in the alkali basalts. The calculated densities [2.54-2.71 g/cc for shonkinite; 2.61-2.78 g/cc for lamprophyre; 2.66-2.74 g/cc for alkali basalt] and viscosities [3.11-3.39 Pa s for shonkinite; 3.01-3.28 Pa s for lamprophyre; 2.72-3.09 Pa s for alkali basalt] are utilized to compute velocities (ascent rates) of the three alkaline magmas. Since the lamprophyres and alkali basalts are crystal-laden, we have also calculated effective viscosities to infer crystal control on the velocities. Twenty percent of crystals in the magma increase the viscosity by 2.7 times consequently decrease ascent rate by 2.7 times compared to the crystal-free magmas. The computed ascent rates range from 0.11-2.13 m/sec, 0.23-2.77 m/sec and 1.16-2.89 m/sec for shonkinite, lamprophyre and alkali basalt magmas respectively. Ascent rates increase with the width of the dykes and density difference, and decrease with magma viscosity and proportion of crystals. If a constant width of 1 m is assumed in the magma-filled dyke propagation model, then the sequence of emplacement velocities in the decreasing order is alkaline magmas (4.68-15.31 m/sec) &gt; ultramafic-mafic magmas (3.81-4.30 m/sec) &gt; intermediate-felsic magmas (1.76-2.56 m/sec). We propose that SiO2 content in the terrestrial magmas can be modeled as a semi-quantitative “geospeedometer” of the magma ascent rates.
Classification and Potential Utilization of Eocene Coals of Meghalaya, North East India
Authors: Singh Alok K. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT
In the present study, petrographic and geochemical investigation of Meghalayan coal deposits have been carried out to classify these coals in terms of rank, type and grade, using Indian and International classification schemes. Based on petrographic and geochemical characteristics, an attempt has also been made to identify the potential utilization of Meghalayan coals for various industrial applications. According to the study, these coals have been classified as sub-bituminous C to high volatile bituminous in rank, vitric in type and clean to ashy in grade. Considering their hydrocarbon potential, these coals are suitable for liquefaction and gasification.
Keni — the Vanishing Wonder Well
Authors: Gopinath Girish , Resmi T. R. , Kumar K. S. Anil , Anusree N. S. , Prasad N. B. Narasimha 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT
This paper discusses the ancient perennial water abstraction structures–Keni–developed by the tribal communities in Wayanad district, Kerala, southwest coast of India. Keni is shallow wooden abstraction structure built in the soil zone where the water table is near or above the ground level. These traditional water abstraction structures are perfect example of water harvesting and water purification. As a preliminary assessment, a detailed survey of the Keni in the district is conducted and the result of the chemical analysis of water from the Keni is presented in this paper. Water from Kenis meet the drinking water quality standards prescribed by the BIS.
Numerical Modelling of Steep Slopes in Open Rock Quarries
Authors: Yilmaz Murat , Ertin Altay , Er Selman , Tugrul Atiye 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT
The key question regarding steep rock slopes along rock quarries is their stability because a rock slope failure can have critical results. In this study, the aim is to investigate the areas with potential risk for jointed karstic limestones in a rock quarry. First, to determine rock mass properties, scan-line surveys were performed, and the major orientations of discontinuities were analyzed using stereographic projection. Then, the physico-mechanical properties of the slope-forming rock were determined in the laboratory, and geomechanical properties of the rock mass were determined using an empirical failure criterion. Finally, the quarry slope stability was assessed in accordance with numerical modelling. According to the results obtained, the numerical modelling of steep rock slopes can be efficiently evaluated by using finite element method. Beside this, the presence of joints intersecting the main discontinuity sets, the filling materials of discontinuities resulting from weathering of limestone and surface deposits, surcharge load due to mine waste dumped on the slopes and excavation blasting during construction of quarry area play a key role when modelling the steep rock slopes by using finite element method.
Teaching clinical reasoning through hypothetico-deduction is (slightly) better than self-explanation in tutorial groups: An experimental study
Authors: Rumayyan Ahmed Al , Ahmed Nasr , Subait Reem Al , Ghamdi Ghassan Al , Mahzari Moeber , Mohamed Tarig Awad , Rotgans Jerome I. , Donmez Mustafa , Mamede Silvia , Schmidt Henk G. 
Published: February 2018

Background Self-explanation while individually diagnosing clinical cases has proved to be an effective instructional approach for teaching clinical reasoning. The present study compared the effects on diagnostic performance of self-explanation in small groups with the more commonly used hypothetico-deductive approach.
Methods Second-year students from a six-year medical school in Saudi Arabia (39 males; 49 females) worked in small groups on seven clinical vignettes (four criterion cases representing cardiovascular diseases and three ‘fillers’, i.e. cases of other unrelated diagnoses). The students followed different approaches to work on each case depending on the experimental condition to which they had been randomly assigned. Under the self-explanation condition, students provided a diagnosis and a suitable pathophysiological explanation for the clinical findings whereas in the hypothetico-deduction condition students hypothesized about plausible diagnoses for signs and symptoms that were presented sequentially. One week later, all students diagnosed eight vignettes, four of which represented cardiovascular diseases. A mean diagnostic accuracy score (range: 0–1) was computed for the criterion cases. One-way ANOVA with experimental condition as between-subjects factor was performed on the mean diagnostic accuracy scores.
Results Students in the hypothetico-deduction condition outperformed those in the self-explanation condition (mean = 0.22, standard deviation = 0.14, mean = 0.17; standard deviation = 0.12; F(1, 88) = 4.90, p = 0.03, partial η 2 = 0.06, respectively).
Conclusions Students in the hypothetico-deduction condition performed slightly better on a follow-up test involving similar cases, possibly because they were allowed to formulate more than one hypothesis per case during the learning phase.