bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological Growth and Theoretical Understanding of Gold and Other Noble Metal Nanoplates
Authors: Xia Jing , Dong ZhiLi , Cai Yongqing , Guan Guijian , Zhang Shuangyuan , Kovács András , Boothroyd Chris , Phang In Yee , Liu Shuhua , Wu Mingda , Zhang Yong Wei , Hu Xiao , Han Ming‐Yong 
Published: June 2018

AbstractFor the last decades, the chemical reduction of Au3+ to Au0 has been widely employed to produce various gold nanostructures. In comparison with the fast reduction, the slow reduction is systematically investigated in this research to provide more insights to reveal intermediary process and further disclose the underlying mechanism for growing gold nanostructures by using a series of simple ligands with aldehyde groups as weak reducing agents. The different binding energies of ligands to Aun+ (n=3, 1 and 0) exhibit variable binding affinities in starting, intermediate, and final gold species. For example, formic acid has much stronger binding affinity to Au+ than Au3+, and thus Au+ intermediate is able to be stabilized/captured during slow reduction of Au3+. Upon the disproportionation of Au+ to Au0 and Au3+, formic acid has much stronger binding affinity to the newly formed Au0 than other ligands for the controlled formation of gold nanostructures. Meanwhile, the adsorption of ligands causes substantially decreased surface energies on different gold planes. There are much higher energies on {110} planes compared to the other two {111} and {100} planes with certain ratios in these energies, leading to morphological growth of gold nanosheets. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate anisotropic growth of gold nanosheets by using various ligands with weak reducing and appropriate coordination capabilities, and further provide insights to understand their morphological growth mechanism behind. This synthetic strategy is successfully extended to prepare silver, palladium, and platinum nanoplates.
Severe bradyarrhythmia linked to left atrial dysfunction in Fabry disease—A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Di Lu Zhao , Pichette Maxime , Nadeau Réginald , Bichet Daniel G. , Poulin Frédéric 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundFabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by an enzymatic deficiency. Conduction abnormalities and bradyarrhythmias are common and can occur prior to the onset of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. We aimed to describe the clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic, including left atrial (LA) function, determinants of bradyarrhythmic events in FD.HypothesisBradyarrhythmic events are frequent in patients with FD and are associated with LA dysfunction.MethodsWe designed a cross‐sectional study that includes 53 FD patients (mean age, 45 years; 42% male). Clinical characteristics and electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data were collected. LA function was measured using biplane volumes and 2D speckle‐tracking echocardiography. Bradyarrhythmic events were defined as pause of more than 2 seconds (sinus pause or atrioventricular block) recorded on Holter, severe bradycardia (≤ 40 bpm on ECG) or implantation of a permanent pacemaker.ResultsSix (11%) patients had installation of a pacemaker, 4 (8%) patients had cardiac pause and 2 (4%) patients had an episode of severe bradycardia. Patients with bradyarrhythmic events were older and had a lower resting heart rate. On echocardiography, a significantly higher LV mass, a lower LV ejection fraction, and a more affected LA reservoir function were found in those with bradyarrhythmic events. Patients also experienced tachyarrhythmias frequently. Atrial fibrillation occurred in 11 (21%) patients and ventricular tachycardia in 4 (8%) patients.ConclusionsBradyarrhythmia are common manifestations of cardiac involvement in FD. Age, LV mass, LV ejection fraction and LA reservoir dysfunction can be useful markers associated with bradyarrhythmia.
Coordinate transformation aided finite element method for contour detection of breast tumors in microwave imaging
Authors: Ozgun Ozlem , Kuzuoglu Mustafa 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA coordinate transformation based finite element method is presented for detecting contours of breast cancer tissues in the context of microwave imaging. The geometry and location of a single or multiple cancerous tumors inside a breast tissue are identified by constructing an inverse problem based on the genetic optimization algorithm. The expensive forward solution phase during repeated cost function evaluations is accelerated by placing a transformation medium inside the finite element mesh. This allows using a uniform or rectangular mesh even when irregular tumor geometries are considered. Therefore, the computational load is reduced. The algorithm is implemented in MATLAB using parallel programming tools. A realistic numerical breast phantom repository, which is available in the University of Wisconsin‐Madison webpage, is used to test the algorithm. The performance of the algorithm is also tested by utilizing the Monte Carlo approach, where the inverse problem is run several times and the statistical parameters of the runs are determined. Various simulation results are demonstrated.
Anatomy of the Holocene inundation of an isolated carbonate platform: Bermuda North Lagoon, western Atlantic
Authors: Gischler Eberhard , Kuhn Gerhard 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe detailed Holocene inundation history of the Bermuda North Lagoon may be used as model for transgressive and highstand sequences in carbonate platforms. Sedimentation and facies development were controlled largely by sea‐level rise and antecedent topography. Four late Pleistocene to Holocene sequences may be identified in North Lagoon based on a combined analysis of 200 km shallow reflection seismics and 39 cores including 29 radiometric and U/Th‐ages. The sequences were deposited during sea‐level highstands and are separated by subaerial exposure horizons that formed during sea‐level lowstands. Sequence 1 (inferred MIS 7) consists of well‐cemented carbonate sands. Sequence 2 (MIS 5) is up to 20 m thick and consists of well‐sorted, inter‐reefal sands and reef sediments with mound‐like structures. Sequence 3 (inferred MIS 3) is up to ca 6 m thick and accumulated in topographic lows of the underlying sequences some 20 m below modern sea‐level. Sequence 4 (MIS 1, Holocene) includes lagoonal sediments up to 10 m thick, and reefs that accumulated on topographic highs of the MIS 5 sequences. Holocene sediments in topographic lows include peat, peaty sediment, freshwater mud, restricted marine carbonates, and open lagoonal carbonate sediments deposited in seagrass beds, shallow water, and deeper lagoon areas. Upward fining is an expression of deepening and the development of a reef‐protected lagoon environment. Holocene sedimentation on topographic highs usually lacks freshwater and transitional facies and starts with shallow marine mollusc shell accumulations overlain by carbonate sediments that show fining upward. Packstone (68%), wackestone (22%), grainstone (9%) and mudstone (1%) textures occur in cores, with Halimeda, molluscs, coralline algae and foraminifera being the most common constituent particles; coral fragments are rare. During the Holocene, an estimated volume of 1 km3 of carbonate sediments was deposited in North Lagoon. Average sedimentation rates are estimated to be 0.32 m/kyr.
A laboratory experiment on the incipient motion of boulders by high‐energy coastal flows
Authors: Bressan L. , Guerrero M. , Antonini A. , Petruzzelli V. , Archetti R. , Lamberti A. , Tinti S. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractStudies on coastal boulders transported inland by high‐energy events, such as tsunamis, focus mainly on the nature, magnitude and characteristics of past events and contribute to coastal hazard assessments. However, uncertainties on the transport models used in the literature are widely acknowledged.To study the minimum flow conditions for boulders transport, a laboratory experiment was carried out at the Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory (LIDR) of the University of Bologna, Italy. The main objective was to provide experimental data on boulders incipient motion and on the relationships linking boulders weight, geometry and orientation with the flow velocity and flow depth thresholds for transport initiation. The experiments reproduce idealized cases to highlight the contribution of the flow and transport processes, while the complexities due to the environment and irregular boulder shapes are reduced to a simple slope and to cubic and rectangular blocks.The most important result is that boulders move when only partially submerged by the flow, but this case is not even considered in the literature. Even for this oversimplified case, the hydrodynamic approach currently used to predict incipient motion strongly overestimates the minimum conditions for boulder transport. The main conclusions are that the drag and lift coefficients commonly used in the literature are not adequate to correctly estimate the minimum conditions for transport and need to be fine‐tuned. The main reason for this discrepancy is that the practical hydrodynamic formulas do not account for the flow variability induced by turbulence that plays a key role in influencing the start of instability. To take into account this intrinsic uncertainty, we suggest determining two dynamic thresholds, separating three distinct regimes: one where transport is impossible, one where it is certain, and an intermediate one where it is possible depending only on the actual turbulence bursts.Data are made freely available (ftp://137.204.48.34). © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patterns of debris flow initiation and periglacial sediment sourcing in the Colorado Front Range
Authors: Patton Annette I. , Rathburn Sara L. , Bilderback Eric L. , Lukens Claire E. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractDuring an extreme storm in the Colorado Front Range in September 2013, 11 debris flows initiated at high elevations in Rocky Mountain National Park. We characterized these debris flows to determine controls on their initiation and found that eight of the 11 initiated in areas of convergent topography, and eight initiated at elevations > 2800 m. The high proportion of debris flows in areas of convergent topography emphasizes the importance of local topographic control on initiation. Debris flows at high elevations in the Front Range are atypical; this event broadens our understanding of debris flow regimes in the Front Range. Survey data (scarp dimensions, transport distance) suggest that transport is influenced by downslope processes rather than characteristics of the initiation site. At one site with evidence of multiple debris flows sourced from the same colluvial hollow, we obtained relative ages of debris flow deposits through geomorphic mapping and fan stratigraphy. We used radiocarbon and beryllium‐10 (10Be) analysis to age stratigraphic deposits and debris flow levees. Radiocarbon ages (n = 6) were highly variable and were interpreted to reflect secondary hillslope processes rather than debris flow ages. Large ranges in cosmogenic exposure age and anomalously old samples indicate that sampled boulders (n = 14) contained inherited 10Be concentrations. Beryllium‐10 concentrations were likely acquired as exposed bedrock surfaces or during intermediate storage in the colluvial hollow. We suggest that 10Be inheritance limits the utility of cosmogenic exposure dating of debris flows with short transport distances (10−1 to 101 km). Despite these limitations, we documented field evidence for four to seven debris flows in the last 75 ka, including two in the last 8 ka. Considered collectively, 10Be sample ages from all levees suggest that greatest sediment production occurred during Quaternary glacial stages due to periglacial processes. Subsequent evacuation of the colluvial hollow likely occurred during wetter periods of the mid‐Holocene. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactive oxygen species inhibits Listeria monocytogenes invasion into HepG2 epithelial cells
Authors: Chen Guo‐wei , Wu Man , Liu Wu‐kang , Xie Man‐man , Zhang Wei‐sheng , Fan En‐guo , Liu Qing 
Published: June 2018

AbstractListeria monocytogenes (Lm) can colonize human gastrointestinal tract and subsequently cross the intestinal barrier. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by NADPH oxidase. However, the role of ROS in bacterial invasion remains to be less understood. Herein, we investigated the impact of ROS on Lm invasion to HepG2 using NADPH oxidase inhibitor, diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI), as well as the ROS scavenger, N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC). Our results showed that inhibiting ROS increased the invasive capability of Lm. Moreover, after Lm infection, inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin 1beta (IL‐1β) in HepG2 were significantly upregulated. However, after inhibiting ROS, the expression levels of TNF‐α and IL‐1β were downregulated, indicating a failure of host cells to activate the immune mechanism. Taken together, ROS in Lm might be as a signal for host cells to sense Lm invasion and then stimulate cells to activate the immune mechanism.
Characterization of obstetric patients with sepsis identified by two diagnostic scales at a fourth‐level clinic in Colombia
Authors: Escobar María F. , Nasner Daniela , Hurtado Carlos F. , Fernández Paula A. , Echavarria Maria P. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the characterization of an obstetric population diagnosed with sepsis using systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria and sepsis‐related organ failure assessment (SOFA).MethodsThe present retrospective observational descriptive study was conducted at a fourth‐level clinic in Colombia among pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria (two SIRS criteria plus infection) between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2016. Patients with systemic compromise were admitted to the high‐complexity obstetric unit (HCOU), whereas those with multiorgan dysfunction were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The SIRS scale was deemed positive if all four criteria were met. A SOFA score of at least 2 was considered a positive result.ResultsThe study included 688 patients. The SIRS test at admission was positive among 431 patients (62.6%); 279 (64.7%) in the HCOU group and 152 (35.2%) in the ICU group. The SOFA test at admission was positive in 69 (38.5%) of 179 patients with complete data. The concordance—measured using the κ statistic—between SIRS and SOFA was low (0.016).ConclusionUsing the SIRS scale could promote early sepsis management by identifying patients who require admission to the HCOU or ICU; however, low concordance between the SIRS and SOFA results suggested a need to create diagnostic scales specifically for the obstetric population.
Haplotype‐based association of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor gene polymorphisms with urothelial bladder cancer risk in Tunisian population
Authors: Ben Wafi Safa , Kallel Amani , Ben Fradj Mohamed Kacem , Sallemi Ahmed , Ben Rhouma Sami , Ben Halima Meriam , Sanhaji Haifa , Nouira Yassine , Jemaa Riadh , Feki Moncef 
Published: June 2018

Background/AimAccumulated data suggested that Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor is a major mediator in vasculogenesis, angiogenesis and recently in tumorigenesis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate for the first time the association between VEGF gene variants (‐2549I/D (rs35569394), ‐2578C/A (rs699947), and +936C/T (rs3025039)) with urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) in Tunisian population.MethodsA total of 218 UBC patients and 204 controls were recruited and genotyped by Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to access the association between the VEGFA gene polymorphisms and UBC.ResultsWe found a significant decreased risk association of ‐2578 C/A polymorphism with UBC (OR (95% CI), 0.62 (0.41‐0.94), P = .026) for CA genotype and (OR (95% CI), 0.40 (0.21‐0.76), P = .005) for double homozygous mutant genotype. No associations were found in case of both polymorphic sites of VEGF, vis. ‐2549I/D and +936C/T, respectively. Haplotype analysis revealed a strong linkage disequilibrium between ‐2578C/A and ‐2549I/D and CIC combination is the significant haplotype associated with increased risk of UBC (OR (95% CI), 3.63 (1.47‐8.97), P = .005). Regarding tumor grade/stage and family history of cancer, no associations were found for ‐2578C/A polymorphism.ConclusionCIC haplotype of VEGF gene may be important risk factor for UBC development in Tunisia.
Development and evaluation of armored RNA‐based standards for quantification of BCR‐ABL1p210/p190 fusion gene transcripts
Authors: Fu Yu , Zhang Rui , Wu Qisheng , Zhang Jiawei , Bao Lihua , Li Jinming 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundStandards play an important role in detection of the BCR‐ABL1 fusion gene (FG) transcript. However, the standards widely used in laboratories are mainly based on plasmids or cDNA, which cannot accurately reflect the process of RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis. Therefore, we aimed to develop armored RNA‐based standards for p210 and p190 BCR‐ABL1FG transcripts’ quantification.MethodsUsing overlapping polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, we first linked a segment of the p210 or p190 BCR‐ABL1FG transcript with four control genes (CGs; ABL1, BCR, GUSB, and B2M) to form p210FG‐CG and p190FG‐CG. Subsequently, using armored RNA technology, we prepared p210FG‐CG‐ and p190FG‐CG‐armored RNAs and the p210FG‐CG and p190FG‐CG standards, the values of which were assigned by digital PCR (dPCR).ResultsThe p210FG‐CG and p190FG‐CG standards were stable and homogeneous, and were significantly linear with r2 > 0.98. A field trial including 52 laboratories across China showed that the coefficient of variation (CV%) of BCR‐ABL1 values among samples was in the range of 58.6%‐129.6% for p210 samples and 73.2%‐194.0% for p190 samples when using local standards. By contrast, when using the p210FG‐CG and p190FG‐CG standards, the CV% of BCR‐ABL1 values was decreased to 35.6%‐124.9% and 36.6%‐170.6% for p210 and p190 samples, respectively. In addition, 33.3% (3/9) of the p210 and p190 samples had CV% values <50.0%, whereas 44.4% (4/9) and 77.8% (7/9) of the samples had lower CV% values when using the p210FG‐CG and p190FG‐CG standards.ConclusionThe overall variability of detection of BCR‐ABL1 transcripts decreased significantly when using the p210FG‐CG or p190FG‐CG standards, especially the p190FG‐CG standard.
Altering the substrate specificity of a myofibril‐bound serine proteinase from Crucian carp by site‐directed mutagenesis
Authors: Li Ting , Li Meng‐Si , Mei Xue‐Jiao , Sun Le‐Chang , Liu Hong , Zhang Ling‐Jing , Cao Min‐Jie , Liu Guang‐Ming 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDMyofibril‐bound serine proteinase (MBSP) comprises a class of trypsin‐type serine proteinases that can specifically cleave the carboxyl side of peptide bonds of arginine or lysine residues. To obtain higher specificity MBSPs, mutants were designed based on the substrate‐binding pocket and constructed through site‐directed mutagenesis.RESULTSThe wild‐type (WT) and mutants were expressed in Pichia pastoris, and its enzymatic properties indicated that the mutants D170S, D170T, D170K and D170T/G203A were not biologically active. However, S171A specifically cleaved arginine residues and G203A preferably hydrolyzed lysine residues. The secondary structures of mutants were approximately similar to that of the WT according to the results of circular dichroism spectroscopy. Additionally, molecular docking showed that substrates were able to combine with S171A within the critical areas through hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bonds and van der Waals electrostatic force.CONCLUSIONThe structural stability of MBSP was consistent using amino acid substitution. Due to the interaction pattern of substrates and mutant enzyme changes, only S171A was selective in cutting Arg residues, which illustrates how the catalytic triad and substrate‐binding pocket of MBSP plays an important role during enzymatic hydrolysis of substrates. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
ThedaCare Nutrition Risk Screen Improves the Identification of Non–Intensive Care Unit Patients at Risk for Malnutrition Compared With the Nutrition Risk Screen 2002
Authors: Hartz Lori L. K. , Stroup Bridget M. , Bibelnieks Tracy A. , Shockey Cheryl , Ney Denise M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundIdentification of patients at risk for malnutrition is important for timely nutrition intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality.Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the Nutrition Risk Screen (NRS) 2002 and the ThedaCare NRS to identify patients at risk for malnutrition.MethodsThe NRS 2002 and ThedaCare NRS were administered to 594 patients, aged 63 ± 16 years (mean ± SD), in the non–intensive care unit hospital setting. Risk for malnutrition and malnutrition diagnosis were confirmed with the 6 malnutrition clinical characteristics defined by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and using the nutrition assessment that included the Nutrition Focused Physical Exam. Sensitivity, specificity, and κ coefficient were calculated.ResultsWhen compared with the NRS 2002, the ThedaCare NRS had higher sensitivity (98.8% vs 63.5%), indicating improved identification of patients at risk for malnutrition, but lower specificity (74.0% vs 93.4%), indicating that more patients at low risk for malnutrition were misclassified. ThedaCare NRS missed fewer patients at risk for malnutrition when compared with the NRS 2002. ThedaCare NRS had a higher κ coefficient when compared with the NRS 2002, indicating better agreement of results regardless of who administered the screen. The ThedaCare NRS required less time to complete when compared with the NRS 2002 (mean ± SE: ThedaCare, 17 ± 1 seconds; NRS 2002, 9 ± 1 minutes;P< .0001).ConclusionThe ThedaCare NRS improves the identification of patients at risk for malnutrition in the non–intensive care unit hospital setting. This trial was registered atwww.clinicaltrials.govas NCT02585245.
The self‐concept of person with chronic schizophrenia in Japan
Authors: Sugawara Hiromi , Mori Chizuru 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAimsPeople with schizophrenia have some problems in terms of function of consciousness of the self. Therefore, what they are conscious of themselves remains unclear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the self‐concept of Japanese with schizophrenia.MethodsWe interviewed Japanese with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and analyzed the interview transcription by means of qualitative content analysis.ResultsQualitative content analysis yielded 2001 meaning units and 53 codes from the transcription. The codes were classified into 6 categories: Present Cognition and Definition of the Self, Feeling Towards and Evaluation of the Self, The Self That Is Seen by Others, The Past Self‐Image, The Self‐Image About Possibility and the Future, and How I Should Be and the Ideal Self.ConclusionOne of the categories, Feeling Towards and Evaluation of the Self, means self‐confidence, pride, and self‐acceptance. In this category, some participants could not accept themselves because they felt “this is not the true self.” Considering our finding and the background in Japan, psychiatric hospitalization is long, while hospitalized people with schizophrenia might be aware of the negative stereotypes about them. Therefore, staff should more focus on what people with schizophrenia want to be in their new life and develop new approaches to enhance rebuilding new goal in life and reduce the self‐stigma.