bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probing the Structural and Electronic Properties of Dirhenium Halide Clusters: A Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Zhang Li Huan , Xia Xin Xin , Sun Wei Guo , Lu Cheng , Kuang Xiao Yu , Le Chen Bo , Maroulis George 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDirhenium halide dianions received considerable attention in past decades due to the unusual metal–metal quadruple bond. The systematic structural evolution of dirhenium halide clusters has not been sufficiently studied and hence is not well-understood. In this work, we report an in-depth investigation on the structures and electronic properties of doubly charged dirhenium halide clusters Re2X82− (X = F, Cl, Br, I). Our computational efforts rely on the well-tested unbiased CALYPSO (Crystal structure AnaLYsis by Particle Swarm Optimization) method combined with density functional theory calculations. We find that all ground-state Re2X82− clusters have cube-like structures of D4h symmetry with two Re atoms encapsulated in halogen framework. The reasonable agreement between the simulated and experimental photoelectron spectrum of the Re2Cl82− cluster supports strongly the reliability of our computational strategy. The chemical bonding analysis reveals that the δ bond is the pivotal factor for the ground-state Re2X82− (X = F, Cl, Br, I) clusters to maintain D4h symmetric cube-like structures, and the enhanced stability of Re2Cl82− is mainly attributed to the chemical bonding of 5d orbital of Re atoms and 3p orbital of Cl atoms.
Decolorization of recalcitrant dyes by a multicopper oxidase produced by Iodidimonas sp. Q-1 with iodide as a novel inorganic natural redox mediator
Authors: Taguchi Taro , Ebihara Kyota , Yanagisaki Chihiro , Yoshikawa Jun , Horiguchi Hirofumi , Amachi Seigo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA multicopper oxidase (IOX) produced by Iodidimonas sp. Q-1 has high catalytic efficiency for iodide (I−) oxidation to form molecular iodine (I2). In this study, the potential capacity of IOX for decolorization of recalcitrant dyes was determined. Although IOX did not decolorize any dyes in the absence of redox mediator, significant decolorization of Orange G, Indigo Carmine, Amido Black, and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) was observed in the presence of iodide. Addition of 0.1 mM iodide was sufficient to decolorize a total of 3 mM Indigo Carmine, suggesting that iodide functions as a mediator. Such mediator-like function of iodide was not observed in commercially available fungal laccases. The IOX-iodide decolorization system showed much alkaline pH optima of 5.5–6.5 and stronger salt tolerance than fungal laccases did. In addition, actual wastewater discharged from a dyeing factory could be decolorized more than 50% by the system. Since iodide is naturally occurring, non-toxic, and cheaper than common synthetic mediators, the IOX-iodide system is potentially more advantageous than fungal laccase-mediator systems for decolorization of recalcitrant dyes.
Hsp90 inhibition as a means to inhibit activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: Piippo Niina , Korhonen Eveliina , Hytti Maria , Skottman Heli , Kinnunen Kati , Josifovska Natasha , Petrovski Goran , Kaarniranta Kai , Kauppinen Anu 
Published: April 2018

AbstractOnce activated, the intracellular receptor NLRP3 assembles an inflammasome protein complex that facilitates the caspase-1-mediated maturation of IL-1β and IL-18. Inactive NLRP3 is guarded by a protein complex containing Hsp90. In response to stress stimuli, Hsp90 is released, and NLRP3 can be activated to promote inflammation. In this study, we blocked Hsp90 with geldanamycin and studied the fate of NLRP3 in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. RPE cells play a central role in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a progressive eye disease causing severe vision loss in the elderly. IL-1α-primed ARPE-19 cells, human embryonal stem cell (hESC)-derived RPE cells, and primary human RPE cells were exposed to MG-132 and bafilomycin A to activate NLRP3 via the inhibition of proteasomes and autophagy, respectively. Additionally, RPE cells were treated with geldanamycin at different time points and the levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β were determined. Caspase-1 activity was measured using a commercial assay. Geldanamycin prevented the activation of the inflammasome in human RPE cells. NLRP3 released from its protective complex became degraded by autophagy or secreted from the cells. Controlled destruction of NLRP3 is a potential way to regulate the inflammation associated with chronic diseases, such as AMD.
Structural characteristics and membrane interactions of tandem α-synuclein oligomers
Authors: Dong Chunhua , Hoffmann Marion , Li Xi , Wang Meijing , Garen Craig R. , Petersen Nils O. , Woodside Michael T. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPre-fibrillar oligomers of α-synuclein are thought to be pathogenic molecules leading to neurotoxicity associated with Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. However, small oligomers are difficult to isolate for study. To gain better insight into the properties of small α-synuclein oligomers, we investigated engineered oligomers of specific size (dimers, tetramers, and octamers) linked head-to-tail in tandem, comparing the behavior of the oligomers to monomeric α-synuclein. All oligomeric constructs remained largely disordered in solution, as determined from dynamic light scattering and size-exclusion chromatography. Electron microscopy revealed that each construct could aggregate to form fibrils similar to those formed by monomeric α-synuclein. The interactions with large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) composed of negatively-charged lipids differed depending on size, with smaller oligomers forming more extensive helical structure as determined by CD spectroscopy. Monitoring the influx of a fluorescence bleaching agent into vesicles showed that larger oligomers were somewhat more effective at degrading vesicular integrity and inducing membrane permeabilization.
Artifact Removal using Improved GoogLeNet for Sparse-view CT Reconstruction
Authors: Xie Shipeng , Zheng Xinyu , Chen Yang , Xie Lizhe , Liu Jin , Zhang Yudong , Yan Jingjie , Zhu Hu , Hu Yining 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSparse-view Reconstruction can be used to provide accelerated low dose CT imaging with both accelerated scan and reduced projection/back-projection calculation. Despite the rapid developments, image noise and artifacts still remain a major issue in the low dose protocol. In this paper, a deep learning based method named Improved GoogLeNet is proposed to remove streak artifacts due to projection missing in sparse-view CT reconstruction. Residual learning is used in GoogLeNet to study the artifacts of sparse-view CT reconstruction, and then subtracts the artifacts obtained by learning from the sparse reconstructed images, finally recovers a clear correction image. The intensity of reconstruction using the proposed method is very close to the full-view projective reconstructed image. The results indicate that the proposed method is practical and effective for reducing the artifacts and preserving the quality of the reconstructed image.
First long-term detection of paleo-oceanic signature of dust aerosol at the southern marginal area of the Taklimakan Desert
Authors: Zhou Qi , Li Juan , Xu Jian , Qin Xiaofei , Deng Congrui , Fu Joshua S. , Wang Qiongzhen , Yiming Mijiti , Huang Kan , Zhuang Guoshun 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe firstly conducted a long-term in-situ field measurement at a marginal area (Hotan) of the southern Taklimakan Desert covering all four seasons. Detailed chemical characterization of dust aerosol over Hotan showed several unconventional features, including (1) ubiquity of high Na+ and Cl− abundances in the Taklimakan dust aerosol and its Cl−/Na+ ratio close to seawater; (2) high Ca content in the Taklimakan dust (7.4~8.0%) which was about two times of that in the natural crust; (3) high abundance of soluble sulfate concentrations and strong correlations between sulfate and Na+ and Cl− as well as typical mineral tracers such as Al and Ca. Our results collectively indicated that the dust aerosol from the Taklimakan Desert was characterized of evident paelo-oceanic signature as the Taklimakan Desert was found as an ocean in the ancient times from the perspective of paleogeology. It was estimated that primary sources dominated the total abundances of sulfate during the dust seasons while previous climate modeling works had seldom considered the cooling effects of sulfate from the Taklimakan Desert.
Concordant association validates MGMT methylation and protein expression as favorable prognostic factors in glioma patients on alkylating chemotherapy (Temozolomide)
Authors: Pandith Arshad A. , Qasim Iqbal , Zahoor Wani , Shah Parveen , Bhat Abdul R. , Sanadhya Dheera , Shah Zafar A. , Naikoo Niyaz A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractO6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation and its subsequent loss of protein expression has been identified to have a variable impact on clinical outcome of glioma patients indicated for chemotherapy with alkylating agents (Temozolomide). This study investigated methylation status of MGMT gene along with in situ protein expression in malignant glioma patients of different histological types to evaluate the associated clinical outcome vis-a-vis use of alkylating drugs and radiotherapy. Sixty three cases of glioma were evaluated for MGMT promoter methylation by methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR) and protein expression by immunostaining (IHC). Methylation status of MGMT and loss of protein expression showed a very high concordant association with better survival and progression free survival (PFS) (p < 0.0001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed both MGMT methylation and loss of protein as significant independent prognostic factors in glioma patients with respect to lower Hazard Ratio (HR) for better OS and PFS) [p < 0.05]. Interestingly concordant MGMT methylation and lack of protein showed better response in TMZ therapy treated patient subgroups with HR of 2.02 and 0.76 (p < 0.05). We found the merits of prognostication of MGMT parameters, methylation as well as loss of its protein as predictive factors for favorable outcome in terms of better survival for TMZ therapy.
Thymidine catabolism promotes NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) signalling in KB and yumoto cells
Authors: Tabata Sho , Yamamoto Masatatsu , Goto Hisatsugu , Hirayama Akiyoshi , Ohishi Maki , Kuramoto Takuya , Mitsuhashi Atsushi , Ikeda Ryuji , Haraguchi Misako , Kawahara Kohichi , Shinsato Yoshinari , Minami Kentaro , Saijo Atsuro , Toyoda Yuko , Hanibuchi Masaki , Nishioka Yasuhiko , Sone Saburo , Esumi Hiroyasu , Tomita Masaru , Soga Tomoyoshi , Furukawa Tatsuhiko , Akiyama Shin-ichi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThymidine phosphorylase (TP) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the thymidine catabolic pathway. TP is identical to platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and contributes to tumour angiogenesis. TP induces the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhances the expression of oxidative stress-responsive genes, such as interleukin (IL)-8. However, the mechanism underlying ROS induction by TP remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that TP promotes NADPH oxidase-derived ROS signalling in cancer cells. NADPH oxidase inhibition using apocynin or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) abrogated the induction of IL-8 and ROS in TP-expressing cancer cells. Meanwhile, thymidine catabolism induced by TP increased the levels of NADPH and intermediates of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Both siRNA knockdown of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), a rate-limiting enzyme in PPP, and a G6PD inhibitor, dihydroepiandrosterone, reduced TP-induced ROS production. siRNA downregulation of 2-deoxy-D-ribose 5-phosphate (DR5P) aldolase, which is needed for DR5P to enter glycolysis, also suppressed the induction of NADPH and IL-8 in TP-expressing cells. These results suggested that TP-mediated thymidine catabolism increases the intracellular NADPH level via the PPP, which enhances the production of ROS by NADPH oxidase and activates its downstream signalling.
Robust high‐multiplication factor MDLL using IIR filter‐based accumulated jitter reduction
Authors: Jee D.‐W. 
Published: April 2018

A high‐multiplication factor multiplying delay‐locked loop (MDLL) with infinite impulse response filter‐based accumulated jitter reduction technique is presented. In every output clock cycle, the proposed jitter reduction loop samples the periodic jitter, accumulates it, and subtracts accumulated jitter from the next output clock period. The proposed technique is applied to 10 MHz MDLL with 32 kHz reference clock, a multiplication factor of 313, shows 38% jitter reduction, and greatly improves MDLL locking even with high‐supply noise. The MDLL implemented in 0.18 μm CMOS process consumes 42 μW and the core area is 0.043 mm2.
A new near-IR window of low extinction in the Galactic plane
Authors: Minniti Dante , Saito Roberto K. , Gonzalez Oscar A. , Alonso-García Javier , Rejkuba Marina , Barbá Rodolfo , Irwin Mike , Kammers Roberto , Lucas Phillip W. , Majaess Daniel , Valenti Elena 
Published: April 2018

Aims. The windows of low extinction in the Milky Way (MW) plane are rare but important because they enable us to place structural constraints on the opposite side of the Galaxy, which has hither to been done rarely.
Methods. We use the near-infrared (near-IR) images of the VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV) Survey to build extinction maps and to identify low extinction windows towards the Southern Galactic plane. Here we report the discovery of VVV WIN 1713−3939, a very interesting window with relatively uniform and low extinction conveniently placed very close to the Galactic plane.
Results. The new window of roughly 30 arcmin diameter is located at Galactic coordinates (l, b) = (347.4, −0.4) deg. We analyse the VVV near-IR colour-magnitude diagrams in this window. The mean total near-IR extinction and reddening values measured for this window are AKs = 0.46 and E(J − Ks) = 0.95. The red clump giants within the window show a bimodal magnitude distribution in the Ks band, with peaks at Ks = 14.1 and 14.8 mag, corresponding to mean distances of D = 11.0 ± 2.4 and 14.8 ± 3.6 kpc, respectively. We discuss the origin of these red clump overdensities within the context of the MW disk structure.
Isochrone fitting in the Gaia era
Authors: Mints Alexey , Hekker Saskia 
Published: April 2018

Context. Currently, galactic exploration is being revolutionized by a flow of new data: Gaia provides measurements of stellar distances and kinematics; growing numbers of spectroscopic surveys provide values of stellar atmospheric parameters and abundances of elements; and Kepler and K2 missions provide asteroseismic information for an increasing number of stars.
Aims. In this work, we aim to determine stellar distances and ages using Gaia and spectrophotometric data in a consistent way. We estimate precisions of age and distance determinations with Gaia end-of-mission (EoM) and Tycho-Gaia astrometric solution (TGAS) parallax precisions.
Methods. To this end, we incorporated parallax and extinction data into the isochrone fitting method used in the Unified tool to estimate Distances, Ages, and Masses (UniDAM). We prepared datasets that allowed us to study the improvement of distance and age estimates with the inclusion of TGAS and Gaia EoM parallax precisions in isochrone fitting.
Results. Using TGAS parallaxes in isochrone fitting, we are able to reduce distance and age estimate uncertainties for TGAS stars for distances up to 1 kpc by more than one third compared to results based only on spectrophotometric data. With Gaia EoM parallaxes in isochrone fitting, we will be able to further decrease our distance uncertainties by about a factor of 20 and age uncertainties by a factor of 2 for stars up to 10 kpc away from the Sun.
Conclusions. We demonstrate that we will be able to improve our distance estimates for about one third of stars in spectroscopic surveys and to decrease log(age) uncertainties by about a factor of two for over 80% of stars as compared to the uncertainties obtained without parallax priors using Gaia EoM parallaxes consistently with spectrophotometry in isochrone fitting.
Gaia Data Release 2
Authors: Evans D. W. , Riello M. , De Angeli F. , Carrasco J. M. , Montegriffo P. , Fabricius C. , Jordi C. , Palaversa L. , Diener C. , Busso G. , Cacciari C. , van Leeuwen F. , Burgess P. W. , Davidson M. , Harrison D. L. , Hodgkin S. T. , Pancino E. , Richards P. J. , Altavilla G. , Balaguer-Núñez L. , Barstow M. A. , Bellazzini M. , Brown A. G. A. , Castellani M. , Cocozza G. , De Luise F. , Delgado A. , Ducourant C. , Galleti S. , Gilmore G. , Giuffrida G. , Holl B. , Kewley A. , Koposov S. E. , Marinoni S. , Marrese P. M. , Osborne P. J. , Piersimoni A. , Portell J. , Pulone L. , Ragaini S. , Sanna N. , Terrett D. , Walton N. A. , Wevers T. , Wyrzykowski Ł. 
Published: April 2018

Aims. We describe the photometric content of the second data release of the Gaia project (Gaia DR2) and its validation along with the quality of the data.
Methods. The validation was mainly carried out using an internal analysis of the photometry. External comparisons were also made, but were limited by the precision and systematics that may be present in the external catalogues used.
Results. In addition to the photometric quality assessment, we present the best estimates of the three photometric passbands. Various colour-colour transformations are also derived to enable the users to convert between the Gaia and commonly used passbands.
Conclusions. The internal analysis of the data shows that the photometric calibrations can reach a precision as low as 2 mmag on individual CCD measurements. Other tests show that systematic effects are present in the data at the 10 mmag level.
Rettung aus Höhen und Tiefen – Standardtechniken der Feuerwehr
Authors: Ventzke Marc-Michael , Balkie Helmut , Kemming Gregor 
Published: April 2018

ZusammenfassungDer Notarzt muss für eine effektive und erfolgreiche Einsatzabwicklung die lokalen Gegebenheiten, die Fähigkeiten der Feuerwehren und die Standardrettungstechniken kennen. Der vorliegende Artikel geht auf die Rettung mit Hubrettungsmitteln und einfaches Retten aus Höhen und Tiefen mit der Schleifkorbtrage ein.
Endoscopist factors that influence serrated polyp detection: a multicenter study
Authors: Crockett Seth , Gourevitch Rebecca , Morris Michele , Carrell David , Rose Sherri , Shi Zhuo , Greer Julia , Schoen Robert , Mehrotra Ateev 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Background Serrated polyps are important colorectal cancer precursors that are variably detected during colonoscopy. We measured serrated polyp detection rate (SPDR) in a large, multicenter, cross-sectional study of colonoscopy quality to identify drivers of SPDR variation.
Methods Colonoscopy and pathology reports were collected for a 2-year period (10/2013-9/2015) from four sites across the United States. Data from reports, including size, location, and histology of polyps, were abstracted using a validated natural language processing algorithm. SPDR was defined as the proportion of colonoscopies with ≥ 1 serrated polyp (not including hyperplastic polyps). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine endoscopist characteristics associated with serrated polyp detection.
Results A total of 104 618 colonoscopies were performed by 201 endoscopists who varied with respect to specialty (86 % were gastroenterologists), sex (18 % female), years in practice (range 1 – 51), and number of colonoscopies performed during the study period (range 30 – 2654). The overall mean SPDR was 5.1 % (SD 3.8 %, range 0 – 18.8 %). In multivariable analysis, gastroenterology specialty training (odds ratio [OR] 1.89, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.33 – 2.70), fewer years in practice (≤ 9 years vs. ≥ 27 years: OR 1.52, 95 %CI 1.14 – 2.04)], and higher procedure volumes (highest vs. lowest quartile: OR 1.77, 95 %CI 1.27 – 2.46)] were independently associated with serrated polyp detection.
Conclusions Gastroenterology specialization, more recent completion of training, and greater procedure volume are associated with serrated polyp detection. These findings imply that both repetition and training are likely to be important contributors to adequate detection of these important cancer precursors. Additional efforts to improve SPDR are needed.
P3 Cognitive Potential in Cochlear Implant Users
Authors: Grasel Signe , Greters Mario , Goffi-Gomez Maria , Bittar Roseli , Weber Raimar , Oiticica Jeanne , Bento Ricardo 
Published: April 2018

Introduction The P3 cognitive evoked potential is recorded when a subject correctly identifies, evaluates and processes two different auditory stimuli.
Objective to evaluate the latency and amplitude of the P3 evoked potential in 26 cochlear implant users with post-lingual deafness with good or poor speech recognition scores as compared with normal hearing subjects matched for age and educational level.
Methods In this prospective cohort study, auditory cortical responses were recorded from 26 post-lingual deaf adult cochlear implant users (19 with good and 7 with poor speech recognition scores) and 26 control subjects.
Results There was a significant difference in the P3 latency between cochlear implant users with poor speech recognition scores (G-) and their control group (CG) (p = 0.04), and between G- and cochlear implant users with good speech discrimination (G+) (p = 0.01). We found no significant difference in the P3 latency between the CG and G+. In this study, all G- patients had deafness due to meningitis, which suggests that higher auditory function was impaired too.
Conclusion Post-lingual deaf adult cochlear implant users in the G- group had prolonged P3 latencies as compared with the CG and the cochlear implant users in the G+ group. The amplitudes were similar between patients and controls. All G- subjects were deaf due to meningitis. These findings suggest that meningitis may have deleterious effects not only on the peripheral auditory system but on the central auditory processing as well.
Pisotriquetral Pain Treated with Bilateral Pisiform Excision in a Collegiate Diver
Authors: Rietberg Nathan , Brown Matthew , Haase Steven 
Published: April 2018

Background Pisiform excision and pisotriquetral arthrodesis are two surgical options for the treatment of pisotriquetral joint pain when conservative methods fail. However, it is unclear which option is best for patients who experience substantial, repetitive loading on their wrists and wish to preserve wrist flexibility and function.
Case Description We present a case of bilateral ulnar-sided wrist pain related to the pisotriquetral joint in a 19-year-old collegiate diver. The pain was exacerbated by activities specific to this sport that requires wrist hyperextension, namely full weight-bearing on the hands (handstands), and has an impact on the hands and wrists upon water entry during dives due to direct palmar pressure. There were no radiographic signs of arthritis; however, there were bone marrow changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Management with rest, splinting, and corticosteroid injection failed to relieve the pain and precluded his ability to return to full-time diving. Treatment consisted of bilateral pisiform excision. Postoperatively, the patient returned to full-time competitive diving with resolution of his painful symptoms.
Literature Review Pisiform excision has been shown to have successful outcomes in terms of return to play for lower impact athletes (such as badminton) but has not been reported in athletes who experience a high degree of force repetitively (such as gymnasts or divers). There is one report of pisotriquetral arthrodesis in a young gymnast with suboptimal results.
Clinical Relevance This case report demonstrates that pisiform excision is a successful treatment for elite athletes who experience repetitive, palmar force on hyperextended wrists and subsequently develop ulnar-sided wrist pain.