bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving treatment outcome assessment in a mouse tuberculosis model
Authors: Mourik Bas C. , Svensson Robin J. , de Knegt Gerjo J. , Bax Hannelore I. , Verbon Annelies , Simonsson Ulrika S. H. , de Steenwinkel Jurriaan E. M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPreclinical treatment outcome evaluation of tuberculosis (TB) occurs primarily in mice. Current designs compare relapse rates of different regimens at selected time points, but lack information about the correlation between treatment length and treatment outcome, which is required to efficiently estimate a regimens’ treatment-shortening potential. Therefore we developed a new approach. BALB/c mice were infected with a Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing genotype strain and were treated with rifapentine-pyrazinamide-isoniazid-ethambutol (RpZHE), rifampicin-pyrazinamide-moxifloxacin-ethambutol (RZME) or rifampicin-pyrazinamide-moxifloxacin-isoniazid (RZMH). Treatment outcome was assessed in n = 3 mice after 9 different treatment lengths between 2–6 months. Next, we created a mathematical model that best fitted the observational data and used this for inter-regimen comparison. The observed data were best described by a sigmoidal Emax model in favor over linear or conventional Emax models. Estimating regimen-specific parameters showed significantly higher curative potentials for RZME and RpZHE compared to RZMH. In conclusion, we provide a new design for treatment outcome evaluation in a mouse TB model, which (i) provides accurate tools for assessment of the relationship between treatment length and predicted cure, (ii) allows for efficient comparison between regimens and (iii) adheres to the reduction and refinement principles of laboratory animal use.
Inter-laboratory testing of the effect of DNA blocking reagent G2 on DNA extraction from low-biomass clay samples
Authors: Jacobsen Carsten Suhr , Nielsen Tue Kjærgaard , Vester Jan Kjølhede , Stougaard Peter , Nielsen Jeppe Lund , Voriskova Jana , Winding Anne , Baldrian Petr , Liu Binbin , Frostegård Åsa , Pedersen Dorthe , Tveit Alexander Tøsdal , Svenning Mette Marianne , Tebbe Christoph C. , Øvreås Lise , Jakobsen Pia Bach , Blazewicz Steven J. , Hubablek Valerie , Bertilsson Stefan , Hansen Lars Hestbjerg , Cary S. Craig , Holben William E. , Ekelund Flemming , Bælum Jacob 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHere we show that a commercial blocking reagent (G2) based on modified eukaryotic DNA significantly improved DNA extraction efficiency. We subjected G2 to an inter-laboratory testing, where DNA was extracted from the same clay subsoil using the same batch of kits. The inter-laboratory extraction campaign revealed large variation among the participating laboratories, but the reagent increased the number of PCR-amplified16S rRNA genes recovered from biomass naturally present in the soils by one log unit. An extensive sequencing approach demonstrated that the blocking reagent was free of contaminating DNA, and may therefore also be used in metagenomics studies that require direct sequencing.
All-Optical Reinforcement Learning In Solitonic X-Junctions
Authors: Alonzo M. , Moscatelli D. , Bastiani L. , Belardini A. , Soci C. , Fazio E. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractEthology has shown that animal groups or colonies can perform complex calculation distributing simple decision-making processes to the group members. For example ant colonies can optimize the trajectories towards the food by performing both a reinforcement (or a cancellation) of the pheromone traces and a switch from one path to another with stronger pheromone. Such ant’s processes can be implemented in a photonic hardware to reproduce stigmergic signal processing. We present innovative, completely integrated X-junctions realized using solitonic waveguides which can provide both ant’s decision-making processes. The proposed X-junctions can switch from symmetric (50/50) to asymmetric behaviors (80/20) using optical feedbacks, vanishing unused output channels or reinforcing the used ones.
Enrichment of soil organic carbon by native earthworms in a patch of tropical soil, Kerala, India: First report
Authors: Sruthi S. N. , Ramasamy E. V. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe role of earthworms in soil carbon dynamics is a recent avenue of research which is less studied in India. Three plots of 1 m3 size were laid in Jeevaka live laboratory (JLL)- a biodiversity rich area within the University campus. A control plot (CP) of same dimension was maintained outside JLL. Out of three plots within JLL, one was operated with native earthworm Perionyx ceylanensisMichaelson (100 numbers), water and cattle dung as feed (Jeevaka test plot- JT) and fenced with nylon mesh. Remaining two plots were operated as controls within JLL (JC1 and JC2). JC1 (Jeevaka control 1) was provided with cattle dung and water, while JC2 and CP (outside JLL) were operated without any supplements. Throughout the experiment native earthworm species have maintained their dominancy in all plots except CP where no earthworms were observed. At the end of a year-long study, JC1 with maximum diversity of earthworms showed better soil organic carbon (SOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC)-which is relatively a stable form of SOC. Overall findings indicate better the diversity of earthworms better is the carbon storage in the soil.
Improvement of Storage Medium for Cultured Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Using Factorial Design
Authors: Pasovic L. , Utheim T. P. , Reppe S. , Khan A. Z. , Jackson C. J. , Thiede B. , Berg J. P. , Messelt E. B. , Eidet J. R. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractStorage of human retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE) can contribute to the advancement of cell-based RPE replacement therapies. The present study aimed to improve the quality of stored hRPE cultures by identifying storage medium additives that, alone or in combination, contribute to enhancing cell viability while preserving morphology and phenotype. hRPE cells were cultured in the presence of the silk protein sericin until pigmentation. Cells were then stored for 10 days in storage medium plus sericin and either one of 46 different additives. Individual effects of each additive on cell viability were assessed using epifluorescence microscopy. Factorial design identified promising additive combinations by extrapolating their individual effects. Supplementing the storage medium with sericin combined with adenosine, L-ascorbic acid and allopurinol resulted in the highest cell viability (98.6 ± 0.5%) after storage for three days, as measured by epifluorescence microscopy. Flow cytometry validated the findings. Proteomics identified 61 upregulated and 65 downregulated proteins in this storage group compared to the unstored control. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of melanosomes after storage in the optimized medium. We conclude that the combination of adenosine, L-ascorbic acid, allopurinol and sericin in minimal essential medium preserves RPE pigmentation while maintaining cell viability during storage.
Discretized Theta-Rhythm Perception Revealed by Moving Stimuli
Authors: Nakayama Ryohei , Motoyoshi Isamu , Sato Takao 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDespite the subjective continuity of perception over time, increasing evidence suggests that the human nervous system samples sensory information periodically, a finding strongly exemplified by discretized perception in the alpha-rhythm frequency band. More recently, studies have revealed a theta-band cyclic process that manifests itself as periodical fluctuations in behavioral performance. Here, we used a simple stimulus to demonstrate that the theta-cyclic system can produce a vivid experience of slow discrete visual sampling: a Gabor texture pattern appears as a series of flickering snapshots if its spatial window moves continuously over a carrier grating that remains still or drifts continuously in the opposite direction. While the perceptual magnitude of this illusory saltation varied with the speed difference between grating and window components in head-centered coordinates, the perceived rhythm of saltation remained nearly constant (3–8 Hz) over a wide range of stimulus parameters. Results provide further evidence that the slow cyclic neural processes play a critical role not only in attentional task performance but also in conscious perception.
Plasmodium falciparum strains spontaneously switch invasion phenotype in suspension culture
Authors: Awandare Gordon A. , Nyarko Prince B. , Aniweh Yaw , Ayivor-Djanie Reuben , Stoute José A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe extensive redundancy in the use of invasion ligands by Plasmodium falciparum, and its unique ability to switch between invasion pathways have hampered vaccine development. P. falciparum strains Dd2 and W2mef have been shown to change from sialic acid (SA)-dependent to SA-independent phenotypes when selected on neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes. Following an observation of increasing ability of Dd2 to invade neuraminidase-treated cells when cultured for several weeks, we systematically investigated this phenomenon by comparing invasion phenotypes of Dd2, W2mef and 3D7 strains of P. falciparum that were cultured with gentle shaking (Suspended) or under static (Static) conditions. While Static Dd2 and W2mef remained SA-dependent for the entire duration of the investigation, Suspended parasites spontaneously and progressively switched to SA-independent phenotype from week 2 onwards. Furthermore, returning Suspended cultures to Static conditions led to a gradual reversal to SA-dependent phenotype. The switch to SA-independent phenotype was accompanied by upregulation of the key invasion ligand, reticulocyte-binding homologue 4 (RH4), and the increased invasion was inhibited by antibodies to the RH4 receptor, CR1. Our data demonstrates a novel mechanism for inducing the switching of invasion pathways in P. falciparum parasites and may provide clues for understanding the mechanisms involved.
Cycle oxidation behavior and anti-oxidation mechanism of hot-dipped aluminum coating on TiBw/Ti6Al4V composites with network microstructure
Authors: Li X. T. , Huang L. J. , Wei S. L. , An Q. , Cui X. P. , Geng L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractControlled and compacted TiAl3 coating was successfully fabricated on the network structured TiBw/Ti6Al4V composites by hot-dipping aluminum and subsequent interdiffusion treatment. The network structure of the composites was inherited to the TiAl3 coating, which effectively reduces the thermal stress and avoids the cracks appeared in the coating. Moreover, TiB reinforcements could pin the TiAl3 coating which can effectively improve the bonding strength between the coating and composite substrate. The cycle oxidation behavior of the network structured coating on 873 K, 973 K and 1073 K for 100 h were investigated. The results showed the coating can remarkably improve the high temperature oxidation resistance of the TiBw/Ti6Al4V composites. The network structure was also inherited to the Al2O3 oxide scale, which effectively decreases the tendency of cracking even spalling about the oxide scale. Certainly, no crack was observed in the coating after long-term oxidation due to the division effect of network structured coating and pinning effect of TiB reinforcements. Interfacial reaction between the coating and the composite substrate occurred and a bilayer structure of TiAl/TiAl2 formed next to the substrate after oxidation at 973 K and 1073 K. The anti-oxidation mechanism of the network structured coating was also discussed.
All-solid-state high-energy planar hybrid micro-supercapacitors based on 2D VN nanosheets and Co(OH)2 nanoflowers
Authors: Wang Sen , Wu Zhong-Shuai , Zhou Feng , Shi Xiaoyu , Zheng Shuanghao , Qin Jieqiong , Xiao Han , Sun Chenglin , Bao Xinhe 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPlanar micro-supercapacitors are recognized as one of the most competitive on-chip power sources for integrated electronics. However, most reported symmetric micro-supercapacitors suffer from low energy density. Herein, we demonstrate the facile mask-assisted fabrication of new-type all-solid-state planar hybrid micro-supercapacitors with high energy density, based on interdigital patterned films of porous vanadium nitride nanosheets as negative electrode and Co(OH)2 nanoflowers as positive electrode. The resultant planar hybrid micro-supercapacitors display high areal capacitance of 21 mF cm−2 and volumetric capacitance of 39.7 F cm−3 at 0.2 mA cm−2, and exhibit remarkable energy density of 12.4 mWh cm−3 and power density of 1750 mW cm−3, based on the whole device, outperforming most reported planar hybrid micro-supercapacitors and planar asymmetric micro-supercapacitors. Moreover, all-solid-state planar hybrid micro-supercapacitors show excellent cyclability with 84% capacitance retention after 10000 cycles, and exceptionally mechanical flexibility. Therefore, our proposed strategy for the simplified construction of planar hybrid micro-supercapacitors will offer numerous opportunities of utilizing graphene and other 2D nanosheets for high-energy microscale supercapacitors for electronics.
How can we better use Twitter to find a person who got lost due to dementia?
Authors: Tsoi Kelvin K. F. , Chan Nicholas B. , Chan Felix C. H. , Zhang Lingling , Lee Annisa C. H. , Meng Helen M. L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTwitter is a social media platform for online message sharing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using Twitter to search for people who got lost due to dementia. The online messages on Twitter, i.e., tweets, were collected through an Application Programming Interface. Contents of the tweets were analysed. The personal characteristics, features of tweets and types of Twitter users were collected to investigate their associations with whether a person can be found within a month. Logistic regression was used to identify the features that were useful in finding the missing people. Results showed that the young age of the persons with dementia who got lost, having tweets posted by police departments, and having tweets with photos can increase the chance of being found. Social media is reshaping the human communication pathway, which may lead to future needs on a new patient-care model.
Enhanced thylakoid photoprotection can increase yield and canopy radiation use efficiency in rice
Authors: Hubbart Stella , Smillie Ian R. A. , Heatley Matthew , Swarup Ranjan , Foo Chuan Ching , Zhao Liang , Murchie Erik H. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHigh sunlight can raise plant growth rates but can potentially cause cellular damage. The likelihood of deleterious effects is lowered by a sophisticated set of photoprotective mechanisms, one of the most important being the controlled dissipation of energy from chlorophyll within photosystem II (PSII) measured as non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). Although ubiquitous, the role of NPQ in plant productivity remains uncertain because it momentarily reduces the quantum efficiency of photosynthesis. Here we used plants overexpressing the gene encoding a central regulator of NPQ, the protein PsbS, within a major crop species (rice) to assess the effect of photoprotection at the whole canopy scale. We accounted for canopy light interception, to our knowledge for the first time in this context. We show that in comparison to wild-type plants,psbSoverexpressors increased canopy radiation use efficiency and grain yield in fluctuating light, demonstrating that photoprotective mechanisms should be altered to improve rice crop productivity.
Fabrication and modal characterisation of large‐area polymer membranes for acoustic micro‐electromechanical systems devices
Authors: Camellini Luca , Torin Alberto , Al‐mashaal Asaad K. , Wood Graham S. , Newton Michael J. , Cheung Rebecca , Mastropaolo Enrico 
Published: April 2018

Bilayer polymer/metal suspended membranes made of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and aluminium (Al) have been fabricated using a wet transfer technique where a polyelectrolyte (polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride – PDAC) has been employed as sacrificial layer to facilitate the detachment of the thin PMMA/Al layers from the substrate holders. In this way, free‐standing PMMA/Al membranes with outstanding diameter (3.5 mm) to thickness (400 nm) ratios of ∼104 have been obtained. The membranes have been actuated mechanically and electrothermally and their modal behaviour characterised using laser Doppler vibrometry. The first five modes of vibrations have been detected in the range of 2–25 kHz. The second and fifth degenerate modes have been seen to split, probably due to non‐uniform tension or mass density. The membranes can achieve vibration amplitudes in the order of few tens of microns. When performing electro‐thermal actuation, it has been observed that the amplitude of a single mode can be tuned by controlling the path of the electric current across the membrane.
Das mittlere Fingergelenk
Authors: Corts Magga 
Published: April 2018

SummaryDas mittlere Fingergelenk ist ein Scharniergelenk, mit dem nur einfache Beuge- und Streckbewegungen möglich sind. Durch Ringbänder fixierte Sehnenscheiden halten die Sehnen dicht am Gelenk und eine Sehnenkreuzung ermöglicht eine optimale Kraftübertragung auf die Finger.
Diels–Alder Reactions of 1,2-Dihydropyridines: An Efficient Tool for the Synthesis of Isoquinuclidines
Authors: Silva Eduarda , Silva Artur , Rocha Djenisa 
Published: April 2018

The Diels–Alder reaction of 1,2-dihydropyridines with different dienophiles is a well-established and straightforward method for the synthesis of isoquinuclidines. Nevertheless, the enantioselective preparation of isoquinuclidines using organocatalysts or organometallic catalysts is rather unexplored. This succinct review offers readers an overall perspective of the most important recent developments and concepts related to this topic.1	Introduction2	Asymmetric Diels–Alder Reaction of 1,2-Dihydropyridines2.1	Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Reactions2.2	Organocatalyzed Reactions3	Diels–Alder Reaction of 1,2-Dihydropyridines in the Synthesis of Biologically Valuable Compounds4	Conclusion
An Interesting and Unique Case of 8p23.3p23.1 Deletion and 8p23.1p11.1 Interstitial Duplication Syndrome
Authors: Roy Shuvendu , Kumar Gaurav , Kumar Vivek 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe report an interesting case of a male toddler with global developmental delay, dysmorphic facies, seizures, and acyanotic heart disease. Detailed evaluation revealed absent corpus callosum with large doubly committed ventricular septal defect (VSD) and 8p23.3p23.1 deletion and 8p23.1p11.1 interstitial duplication syndrome. In comparison to similar reports of 8p deletion and inverted duplication syndrome, the uniqueness of this report lies in the fact that the congenital heart defect occurred without the GATA4 gene involvement, and the nervous system involvement was more extensive.
Ankle and Hindfoot Symptoms after Medial Open Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy
Authors: Roberts Jason , Picard Frederic , Shah Siddharth 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMedial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) is a commonly performed procedure for symptomatic medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA). However, little is known about its effects on ipsilateral ankle or hindfoot. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of ankle or hindfoot problems after MOWHTO and examine its association with radiological indices. Thirty-five knees (32 patients) undergoing navigated MOWHTO were evaluated for the presence of new-onset ankle or hindfoot symptoms after surgery. Pre- and postoperative hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), and tibial plafond inclination (TPI) were measured and compared on standing lower limb alignment radiographs. The mean postoperative change in HKA angle, MPTA, and TPI was 8.8°, 7.0°, and 8.4°, respectively. New-onset unexplained ankle or hindfoot symptoms were seen in 20% of the cases after surgery. Postoperative change in TPI was significantly greater in symptomatic patients as compared with asymptomatic ones (12.8° ± 4.9° vs. 8.1° ± 4.8°, p = 0.03). The odds ratio (OR) for developing ankle or hindfoot symptoms in cases with ≥ 10° change in TPI postoperatively was 10.8 (p = 0.04). Ankle or hindfoot symptoms were successfully managed with conservative treatment in all cases.
Comparison of the Leg-Length Change between Opening- and Closing-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lee O-Sung , Ahn Soyeon , Lee Yong 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the effects of closing-wedge (CW) and opening-wedge (OW) high tibial osteotomies (HTOs) on the change in leg length. Our hypotheses were that leg length will increase after OW HTO and decrease after CW HTO, and the magnitude of the change in leg length would be negligible in both techniques. Multiple databases including MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane were searched for studies comparing the change in leg length after HTO with that before HTO. After testing for publication bias and heterogeneity, we aggregated variables by using the random-effects model. The weighted mean differences of leg length were estimated before and after OW and CW HTOs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Four studies that analyzed 127 OW HTOs and 175 CW HTOs were included in this meta-analysis. Leg length increased by 6.96 mm after OW HTO (95% CI: –3.43 to 17.36) and decreased by 1.95 mm after CW HTO (95% CI: –10.89 to 7). Additionally, the change in leg length after OW HTO had a positive correlation with the degree of correction. The leg length increased after OW HTO, and the increase was sufficiently large to cause clinical concerns. The change in leg length after CW HTO was negligible despite the decrease in length. Therefore, CW HTO seems to be a better treatment option than OW HTO if a large correction is required.
Investigation of in-situ co-doping by Sb and P of germanium films grown on Si(001) by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Zrir M. A. , Alek B. , Hussein A. , Shaker S. A. 
Published: April 2018

Heavily n-type doping of Germanium was the key parameter in recent breakthroughs of Si-compatible infrared emitting devices. We investigate an in-situ co-doping technique using Phosphorus (P) and Antimony (Sb) to fabricate smooth and heavily n-type doped Ge films epitaxially grown on Si(001) using molecular beam epitaxy. The role of the rapid thermal annealing process in the dopants activation and in the significant annihilation of the threading dislocations is presented. Hall effect measurements reveal a free electron concentration of 4.2 × 1019 cm−3 at room temperature. The accumulated strain in the Ge films is studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) data for P, Sb and co-doping, before and after annealing. A correlation between XRD and Hall effect results revealed a synergistic mechanism associated with the presence of Sb that improves the substitutional incorporation of P atoms. Atom Probe Tomography was implemented to investigate the effect of annealing on the distribution and clustering of dopants. Clustering and inhomogeneity in the density of Sb atoms are observed before annealing, while the density of P atoms was found to be homogeneous. After annealing, the clustering of P becomes more prominent. We show that the clustering is a limiting factor for the activation efficiency of Phosphorus in heavily doped Germanium.
The referenced publication has been retracted by the authors because of the use of unauthorized data represented by Figs. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. These figures were obtained with the help of other scientists in IM2NP Laboratory (Marseille, France) and have been only authorized for publication in the Ph.D. thesis of M. A. Zrir. The authors recognize that the publication of data that have been obtained with substantial help from other scientists can only be with their prior authorization. The authors sincerely apologize for this and recognize that the use of unauthorized data does not comply with the ethical standards of AIP Publishing and Journal of Applied Physics.