bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Label-free non-invasive quantitative measurement of lipid contents in individual microalgal cells using refractive index tomography
Authors: Jung JaeHwang , Hong Seong-Joo , Kim Han-Byeol , Kim Geon , Lee Moosung , Shin Seungwoo , Lee SangYun , Kim Dong-Jin , Lee Choul-Gyun , Park YongKeun 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMicroalgae are promising candidates for biofuel production due to their high lipid content. To facilitate utilization of the microalgae for biofuel, rapid quantification of the lipid contents in microalgae is necessary. However, conventional methods based on the chemical extraction of lipids require a time-consuming destructive extraction process. Here, we demonstrate label-free, non-invasive, rapid quantification of the lipid contents in individual micro-algal cells measuring the three-dimensional refractive index tomograms. We measure three-dimensional refractive index distributions within Nannochloropsis oculata cells and find that lipid droplets are identifiable in tomograms by their high refractive index. In addition, we alter N. oculata under nitrogen deficiency by measuring the volume, lipid weight, and dry cell weight of individual cells. Characterization of individual cells allows correlative analysis between the lipid content and size of individual cells.
Targeted mutagenesis in wheat microspores using CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Bhowmik Pankaj , Ellison Evan , Polley Brittany , Bollina Venkatesh , Kulkarni Manoj , Ghanbarnia Kaveh , Song Halim , Gao Caixia , Voytas Daniel F. , Kagale Sateesh 
Published: April 2018

AbstractCRISPR/Cas9 genome editing is a transformative technology that will facilitate the development of crops to meet future demands. However, application of gene editing is hindered by the long life cycle of many crop species and because desired genotypes generally require multiple generations to achieve. Single-celled microspores are haploid cells that can develop into double haploid plants and have been widely used as a breeding tool to generate homozygous plants within a generation. In this study, we combined the CRISPR/Cas9 system with microspore technology and developed an optimized haploid mutagenesis system to induce genetic modifications in the wheat genome. We investigated a number of factors that may affect the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 reagents into microspores and found that electroporation of a minimum of 75,000 cells using 10–20 µg DNA and a pulsing voltage of 500 V is optimal for microspore transfection using the Neon transfection system. Using multiple Cas9 and sgRNA constructs, we present evidence for the seamless introduction of targeted modifications in an exogenous DsRed gene and two endogenous wheat genes, including TaLox2 and TaUbiL1. This study demonstrates the value and feasibility of combining microspore technology and CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing for trait discovery and improvement in plants.
Characterization of germ cell differentiation in the male mouse through single-cell RNA sequencing
Authors: Lukassen S. , Bosch E. , Ekici A. B. , Winterpacht A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSpermatogenesis in the mouse has been extensively studied for decades. Previous methods, such as histological staining or bulk transcriptome analysis, either lacked resolution at the single-cell level or were focused on a very narrowly defined set of factors. Here, we present the first comprehensive, unbiased single-cell transcriptomic view of mouse spermatogenesis. Our single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data on over 2,500 cells from the mouse testis improves upon stage marker detection and validation, capturing the continuity of differentiation rather than artificially chosen stages. scRNA-seq also enables the analysis of rare cell populations masked in bulk sequencing data and reveals new insights into the regulation of sex chromosomes during spermatogenesis. Our data provide the basis for further studies in the field, for the first time providing a high-resolution reference of transcriptional processes during mouse spermatogenesis.
Magnetic Field Enhanced Superconductivity in Epitaxial Thin Film WTe2
Authors: Asaba Tomoya , Wang Yongjie , Li Gang , Xiang Ziji , Tinsman Colin , Chen Lu , Zhou Shangnan , Zhao Songrui , Laleyan David , Li Yi , Mi Zetian , Li Lu 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn conventional superconductors an external magnetic field generally suppresses superconductivity. This results from a simple thermodynamic competition of the superconducting and magnetic free energies. In this study, we report the unconventional features in the superconducting epitaxial thin film tungsten telluride (WTe2). Measuring the electrical transport properties of Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) grown WTe2 thin films with a high precision rotation stage, we map the upper critical field Hc2 at different temperatures T. We observe the superconducting transition temperature T
c
is enhanced by in-plane magnetic fields. The upper critical field Hc2 is observed to establish an unconventional non-monotonic dependence on temperature. We suggest that this unconventional feature is due to the lifting of inversion symmetry, which leads to the enhancement of Hc2 in Ising superconductors.
Gold nanoparticle-mediated laser stimulation induces a complex stress response in neuronal cells
Authors: Johannsmeier Sonja , Heeger Patrick , Terakawa Mitsuhiro , Kalies Stefan , Heisterkamp Alexander , Ripken Tammo , Heinemann Dag 
Published: April 2018

AbstractStimulation of neuronal cells generally resorts to electric signals. Recent advances in laser-based stimulation methods could present an alternative with superior spatiotemporal resolution. The avoidance of electronic crosstalk makes these methods attractive for in vivo therapeutic application. In particular, nano-mediators, such as gold nanoparticles, can be used to transfer the energy from a laser pulse to the cell membrane and subsequently activate excitable cells. Although the underlying mechanisms of neuronal activation have been widely unraveled, the overall effect on the targeted cell is not understood. Little is known about the physiological and pathophysiological impact of a laser pulse targeted onto nanoabsorbers on the cell membrane. Here, we analyzed the reaction of the neuronal murine cell line Neuro-2A and murine primary cortical neurons to gold nanoparticle mediated laser stimulation. Our study reveals a severe, complex and cell-type independent stress response after laser irradiation, emphasizing the need for a thorough assessment of this approach’s efficacy and safety.
Comparing SVM and ANN based Machine Learning Methods for Species Identification of Food Contaminating Beetles
Authors: Bisgin Halil , Bera Tanmay , Ding Hongjian , Semey Howard G. , Wu Leihong , Liu Zhichao , Barnes Amy E. , Langley Darryl A. , Pava-Ripoll Monica , Vyas Himansu J. , Tong Weida , Xu Joshua 
Published: April 2018

AbstractInsect pests, such as pantry beetles, are often associated with food contaminations and public health risks. Machine learning has the potential to provide a more accurate and efficient solution in detecting their presence in food products, which is currently done manually. In our previous research, we demonstrated such feasibility where Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based pattern recognition techniques could be implemented for species identification in the context of food safety. In this study, we present a Support Vector Machine (SVM) model which improved the average accuracy up to 85%. Contrary to this, the ANN method yielded ~80% accuracy after extensive parameter optimization. Both methods showed excellent genus level identification, but SVM showed slightly better accuracy for most species. Highly accurate species level identification remains a challenge, especially in distinguishing between species from the same genus which may require improvements in both imaging and machine learning techniques. In summary, our work does illustrate a new SVM based technique and provides a good comparison with the ANN model in our context. We believe such insights will pave better way forward for the application of machine learning towards species identification and food safety.
Yucca fern shaped CuO nanowires on Cu foam for remitting capacity fading of Li-ion battery anodes
Authors: Wang Zhifeng , Zhang Yanshan , Xiong Hanqing , Qin Chunling , Zhao Weimin , Liu Xizheng 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTo remit capacity fading of lithium ion battery (LIB) anodes, freestanding yucca fern shaped CuO nanowires (NWs) on Cu foams are fabricated as anodes by combining facile and scalable anodization of copper foams followed by calcination. The porous and radial configuration of the hierarchical CuO NWs on the Cu foam substrate guarantees the remarkably improved electrochemical performance with durable cycle stability and excellent rate capability compared with CuO NWs on Cu foils. The reversible capacity remains 461.5 mAh/g after 100 repeated cycles at a current density of 100 mA/g, and a capacity of 150.6 mAh/g even at a high rate of 1000 mA/g. By examining the surface morphology of the cycled samples, possible performance fading route is proposed. The 3D CuO NWs network with a porous architecture simutaneously reduces the ion diffusion distances, promotes the electrolyte permeation and electronic conductivity. This novel strategy might open a new window to develop durable CuO based composite anodes for LIBs.
Skeletal muscle phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine respond to exercise and influence insulin sensitivity in men
Authors: Lee Sindre , Norheim Frode , Gulseth Hanne L. , Langleite Torgrim M. , Aker Andreas , Gundersen Thomas E. , Holen Torgeir , Birkeland Kåre I. , Drevon Christian A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPhosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) composition in skeletal muscle have been linked to insulin sensitivity. We evaluated the relationships between skeletal muscle PC:PE, physical exercise and insulin sensitivity. We performed lipidomics and measured PC and PE inm. vastus lateralisbiopsies obtained from 13 normoglycemic normal weight men and 13 dysglycemic overweight men at rest, immediately after 45 min of cycling at 70% maximum oxygen uptake, and 2 h post-exercise, before as well as after 12 weeks of combined endurance- and strength-exercise intervention. Insulin sensitivity was monitored by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. RNA-sequencing was performed on biopsies, and mitochondria and lipid droplets were quantified on electron microscopic images. Exercise intervention for 12 w enhanced insulin sensitivity by 33%, skeletal muscle levels of PC by 21%, PE by 42%, and reduced PC:PE by 16%. One bicycle session reduced PC:PE by 5%. PC:PE correlated negatively with insulin sensitivity (β = −1.6,P < 0.001), percent area of mitochondria (ρ = −0.52,P = 0.035), and lipid droplet area (ρ = 0.55,P = 0.017) on EM pictures, and negatively with oxidative phosphorylation and mTOR based on RNA-sequencing. In conclusion, PC and PE contents of skeletal muscle respond to exercise, and PC:PE is inversely related to insulin sensitivity.
The state of bisphenol research in the lesser developed countries of the EU: a mini-review
Authors: Thoene Michael , Rytel Liliana , Nowicka Natalia , Wojtkiewicz Joanna 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Bisphenol compounds are a class of chemical epoxy resins that are found throughout the world in food packaging, thermal paper products, dental materials, and more. These compounds were deemed to be safe until recently, when some studies noticed adverse effects at very low doses, due to the fact that bisphenol acts as an endocrine disruptor. Over the last ten years, studies have been performed to detect bisphenols (especially BPA) in serum and blood samples throughout the world. Essentially, the majority of the earth's population seems to have significantly measurable levels of bisphenol in their blood plasma or urine. However, the majority of the population is unaware that a potential danger may exist. The purpose of this mini-review is to report upon the state of bisphenol research in the lesser developed member-states of the European Union and to increase awareness of the exposure level and possible adverse health effects of this endocrine disruptor. The results show that only three of the most newly admitted members of the European Union have published research concerning the health effects and/or environmental exposure of EU citizens to bisphenol compounds. Those countries were Slovenia, Poland and the Czech Republic. The rest of the surveyed member-states had little or no published research in relation to bisphenol compounds. Furthermore, even the three nations referred to above still lagged far behind the more advanced EU member-states. The lack of research could translate into a lack of awareness amongst the citizenry of nearly half of the EU, and may be unnecessarily putting those EU citizens at an increased risk of exposure.
Auditory–Perceptual Assessment of Fluency in Typical and Neurologically Disordered Speech
Authors: Penttilä Nelly , Korpijaakko-Huuhka Anna-Maija , Kent Ray D. 
Published: April 2018

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate how speech fluency in typical and atypical speech is perceptually assessed by speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Our research questions were as follows: (a) How do SLPs rate fluency in speakers with and without neurological communication disorders? (b) Do they differentiate the speaker groups? and (c) What features do they hear impairing speech fluency?MethodTen SLPs specialized in neurological communication disorders volunteered as expert judges to rate 90 narrative speech samples on a Visual Analogue Scale (see Kempster, Gerratt, Verdolini Abbott, Barkmeier-Kraemer, & Hillman, 2009; p. 127). The samples—randomly mixed—were from 70 neurologically healthy speakers (the control group) and 20 speakers with traumatic brain injury, 10 of whom had neurogenic stuttering (designated as Clinical Groups A and B).ResultsThe fluency rates were higher for typical speakers than for speakers with traumatic brain injury; however, the agreement among the judges was higher for atypical fluency. Auditory–perceptual assessment of fluency was significantly impaired by the features of stuttering and something else but not by speech rate. Stuttering was also perceived in speakers not diagnosed as stutterers. A borderline between typical and atypical fluency was found.ConclusionsSpeech fluency is a multifaceted phenomenon, and on the basis of this study, we suggest a more general approach to fluency and its deviations that will take into account, in addition to the motor and linguistic aspects of fluency, the metalinguistic component of expression as well. The results of this study indicate a need for further studies on the precise nature of borderline fluency and its different disfluencies.
High‐efficiency, 6.6–29 V pulse driver using charge redistribution
Authors: Choi K.‐J. , Jee D.‐W. 
Published: April 2018

Fully integrated high‐voltage pulse driver with low voltage supplies and low voltage switching signals is described. Using charge redistribution for the output drive significantly reduces switching losses in the load capacitors even with the high‐voltage output swing. The proposed circuit implemented with 0.18 µm HV LDMOS technology achieves 24–55% efficiency improvement for 20 k–1 MHz 29 V pulse generation with 1.2 and 3.3 V supply voltage.
Numerical modeling of lander interaction with a low-gravity asteroid regolith surface
Authors: Thuillet Florian , Michel Patrick , Maurel Clara , Ballouz Ronald-Louis , Zhang Yun , Richardson Derek C. , Biele Jens , Tatsumi Eri , Sugita Seiji 
Published: April 2018

Context. Landing on the surface of small bodies is particularly challenging, as the physical properties of the surface material are not well known and the mechanical response of this material in a low-gravity environment is not well understood.
Aims. In order to improve our understanding of low-speed impact processes on granular media and their outcome in low-gravity environments, we consider the landing of the package MASCOT, to be released by the JAXA asteroid sample return mission Hayabusa2 on (162173) Ryugu in October 2018. Beyond addressing the theoretical aspects of the mechanical response of granular media in low gravity, this study also supports both engineering and scientific teams of Hayabusa2 in the search for the lander and in the determination of Ryugu’s surface properties.
Methods. A campaign of hundreds of numerical simulations using the soft-sphere discrete element method implemented in the N-body code pkdgrav were performed to study the interaction between the lander and the low-gravity surface of the asteroid made of a granular medium representing the regolith. Assuming a broad range of regolith properties, and the lander’s trajectory and motion, we analyzed the outcomes of the landing (distance traveled by the lander, penetration depth, and shape of the traces left in the regolith surface) to determine the influence of the many parameters defining the properties of MASCOT and of the grains, and the ingoing motion of the lander.
Results. We identify well-marked trends for the fate of the lander and the traces left in the granular material. Distances traveled by the lander are greater and penetrations are shallower for gravel-like media than for less frictional material. A similar trend is found for grazing impacts as opposed to vertical ones. Different regolith properties also generate different traces on the ground after the impact.
Langzeitüberleben von Patienten mit Kolon- und Rektumkarzinomen: Ein Vergleich von Darmkrebszentren und nicht zertifizierten Krankenhäusern
Authors: Völkel Vinzenz , Draeger Teresa , Gerken Michael , Fürst Alois , Klinkhammer-Schalke Monika 
Published: April 2018

Zusammenfassung
Ziel der Studie Kliniken, die auf die Behandlung von Kolon- und Rektumkarzinomen spezialisiert sind und hohen Ansprüchen an die Struktur-, Prozess- und Ergebnisqualität genügen, können sich als Darmkrebszentren zertifizieren lassen. Es soll untersucht werden, ob eine Behandlung an Darmkrebszentren verglichen mit einer Therapie an nicht zertifizierten Krankenhäusern mit einem messbaren Überlebensvorteil einhergeht.
Methoden Grundlage dieser retrospektiven Kohortenstudie sind die bevölkerungsbezogenen Daten des klinischen Krebsregisters am Tumorzentrum Regensburg, das die süddeutsche Region Oberpfalz mit ca. 1,1 Mio. Einwohnern vollständig abdeckt. 4302 Patienten, bei denen man zwischen 2004 und 2013 ein Karzinom des Dick- oder Enddarms in radikaler Intention entfernte, wurden in 4 Vergleichsgruppen eingeteilt, um Zentren mit Nicht-Zentren zu vergleichen und die Versorgungssituation vor und nach Einführung der Zertifizierung abzubilden. Zur Untersuchung des 3-Jahres-Gesamtüberlebens kommen neben dem üblichen Kaplan-Meier-Verfahren auch multivariable Cox-Regression und Modelle zur Berechnung des relativen Überlebens zum Einsatz. Eine Sensitivitätsanalyse für fehlende Daten wird ebenfalls durchgeführt.
Ergebnisse Die geschätzte 3-Jahres-Überlebensrate von Zentrumspatienten und -patientinnen beträgt 71,6% verglichen mit 63,6% an nicht zertifizierten Krankenhäusern. Auch nach Adjustierung für wichtige Einflussvariablen ist die Behandlung an zertifizierten Darmkrebszentren mit einem signifikanten Überlebensvorteil verbunden (HR=0,808, KI: 0,665–0,982). Vergleicht man im zeitlichen Längsschnitt die Fälle heutiger Darmkrebszentren vor und nach Zertifizierung ergeben sich fast identische 3-Jahres Überlebensraten und auch in der Cox-Regression sind keine signifikanten Unterschiede festzustellen (HR=0,964, KI: 0,848–1,096).
Schlussfolgerung Die Behandlung an zertifizierten Darmkrebszentren ist im Vergleich zur Therapie an anderen Krankenhäusern mit besseren Überlebensraten assoziiert. Dass es im Längsschnitt betrachtet keinen messbaren Überlebens-Unterschied zwischen Fällen einer Klinik vor und nach ihrer Zertifizierung gibt, könnte auf eine frühzeitige und erfolgreiche Implementierung der geforderten Qualitätsstandards hinweisen.
Imaging to Differentiate the Various Forms of Seronegative Arthritis
Authors: Hermann Kay-Geert , Zejden Anna , Sudoł-Szopińska Iwona , Eshed Iris 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSpondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group of diseases characterized by back pain, spinal inflammation, human leukocyte antigen-B27 positivity, and peripheral findings such as dactylitis, enthesitis, and uveitis. It includes ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease, and undifferentiated SpA. The role of imaging in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients with SpA has become dramatically more important with the introduction of new therapies such as tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. Although in many instances differentiating between the SpA entities is straightforward based on the clinical presentation, often such differentiation remains challenging, and categorization of an individual patient into a subset of SpA can be difficult. Imaging, mainly radiography and magnetic resonance imaging, serves as an important diagnostic tool. Diseases in the spondyloarthritis complex share common presentation but at the same time may have distinct radiographic phenotypes. We present these common and distinct imaging manifestations that may potentially help distinguish between the entities in the diagnostic work-up.
Assessing the relative contribution of economic, political and environmental factors on past conflict and the displacement of people in East Africa
Authors: Owain Erin Llwyd , Maslin Mark Andrew 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAccording to the UN Refugee Agency in 2016 there were over 20 million displaced people in Africa. There is considerable debate whether climate change will exacerbate this situation in the future by increasing conflict and thus displacement of people. To explore this climate-conflict-refugee nexus this study analyses whether climatic changes between 1963 and 2014 impacted the risk of conflict and displacement of people in East Africa. A new composite conflict database recording major episodes of political violence (MEPV) was compared with climatic, economic and political indicators using optimisation regression modelling. This study found that climate variations as recorded by the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and the global temperature record did not significantly impact the level of regional conflict or the number of total displaced people (TDP). The major driving forces on the level of conflict were population growth, economic growth and the relative stability of the political regimes. Numbers of TDP seemed to be linked to population and economic growth. Within TDP, ‘refugees’ were recorded as people that were forced to cross borders between countries. In contrast to TDP and conflict, variations in refugee numbers were found to be significantly related to climatic variations as well as political stability, population and economic growth. This study suggests that climate variations played little or no part in the causation of conflict and displacement of people in East Africa over the last 50 years. Instead, we suggest rapid population growth, low or falling economic growth and political instability during the post-colonial transition were the more important controls. Nonetheless, during this period this study does shows that severe droughts were a contributing driver of refugees crossing international borders. This study demonstrates that within socially and geo-politically fragile systems, climate change may potentially exacerbate the situation particularly with regards to enforced migration.