bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temperature Dependence of the Dielectric Function of Monolayer MoSe2
Authors: Park Han Gyeol , Kim Tae Jung , Ullah Farman , Le Van Long , Nguyen Hoang Tung , Kim Yong Soo , Kim Young Dong 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe dielectric function $${\boldsymbol{\varepsilon }}{\boldsymbol{=}}{{\boldsymbol{\varepsilon }}}_{{\bf{1}}}{\boldsymbol{+}}{\bf{i}}{{\boldsymbol{\varepsilon }}}_{{\bf{2}}}$$
ε
=

ε

1

+
i

ε

2

of monolayer molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) is obtained and analyzed at temperatures from 31 to 300 K and at energies from 0.74 to 6.42 eV. The sample is a large-area, partially discontinuous monolayer (submonolayer) film of MoSe2 grown on a sapphire substrate by selenization of pulsed laser deposited MoO3 film. Morphological and optical characterizations verified the excellent quality of the film. The MoSe2 data were analyzed using the effective medium approximation, which treats the film and bare substrate regions as a single layer. Second derivatives of ε with respect to energy were numerically calculated and analyzed with standard lineshapes to extract accurate critical-point (CP) energies. We find only 6 CPs for monolayer MoSe2 at room temperature. At cryogenic temperatures 6 additional structures are resolved. The separations in the B- and C-excitonic peaks are also observed. All structures blue-shift and sharpen with decreasing temperature as a result of the reducing lattice constant and electron-phonon interactions. The temperature dependences of the CP energies were determined by fitting the data to the phenomenological expression that contains the Bose-Einstein statistical factor and the temperature coefficient.
Biosignals reflect pair-dynamics in collaborative work: EDA and ECG study of pair-programming in a classroom environment
Authors: Ahonen Lauri , Cowley Benjamin Ultan , Hellas Arto , Puolamäki Kai 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCollaboration is a complex phenomenon, where intersubjective dynamics can greatly affect the productive outcome. Evaluation of collaboration is thus of great interest, and can potentially help achieve better outcomes and performance. However, quantitative measurement of collaboration is difficult, because much of the interaction occurs in the intersubjective space between collaborators. Manual observation and/or self-reports are subjective, laborious, and have a poor temporal resolution. The problem is compounded in natural settings where task-activity and response-compliance cannot be controlled. Physiological signals provide an objective mean to quantify intersubjective rapport (as synchrony), but require novel methods to support broad deployment outside the lab. We studied 28 student dyads during a self-directed classroom pair-programming exercise. Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activation was measured during task performance using electrodermal activity and electrocardiography. Results suggest that (a) we canisolate cognitive processes(mental workload)from confounding environmental effects, and (b)electrodermal signals show role-specific but correlated affective response profiles. We demonstrate the potential for social physiological compliance to quantify pair-work in natural settings, with no experimental manipulation of participants required. Our objective approach has a high temporal resolution, is scalable, non-intrusive, and robust.
The effect of fidget spinners on fine motor control
Authors: Cohen Erez James , Bravi Riccardo , Minciacchi Diego 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFidgeting, defined as the generation of small movements through nervousness or impatience, is one of cardinal characteristic of ADHD. While fidgeting is, by definition, a motor experience still nothing is known about the effects of fidgeting on motor control. Some forms of fidgeting involve also the manipulation of external objects which, through repetition, may become automatic and second nature. Both repetition and practice are important for the acquisition of motor skills and, therefore, it is plausible that the repetitive manipulation of objects may influence motor control and performance. As such, fidget spinners, by being diffuse and prone to repetitive usage, may represent interesting tool for improving motor control. In this study we examine the effect of fidget spinners on fine motor control, evaluated by a spiral-tracing task. We show that the use of fidget spinner indeed seems to have a favorable effect on fine motor control, at least in the short term, although this effect does not seem to be in any way inherent to fidget spinners themselves as much as to object manipulation in general. However, due to their widespread usage, fidget spinner may have the advantage of being an enjoyable means for improving fine motor control.
Quantitative Analysis of Charge Distribution in Bi-Emissive layer White Organic Light-Emitting Diodes with Two Fluorescent Dopants
Authors: Kim Ji Young , Kim Woo Young , Cheah Kok Wai 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis work seeks to establish a quantitative method which can estimate the holes and electrons ratio in the emission zones. We fabricated multilayered white organic light-emitting diodes (WOLEDs) with the device structure of ITO/NPB(80 nm)/MADN:BUBD-1(7%)(20 nm)/MADN:DCJTB(0.3%)(20 nm)/TPBi(X nm)/LiF(2 nm)/Al as a case study on the charge recombination distribution in the emissive layer. The result shows a trend in the charge recombination ratio depending on the electron transport layer thickness. We obtained an empirical relationship between electron transport layer thicknesses and emission ratio in EML. In addition, the electroluminescent spectra were analyzed by fitting a Gaussian distribution for the two emissive layers to calculate the intensity ratio of the energy transitions. The arrival time of hole and electrons from each electrode was determined using the thickness and mobility of TPBi as electron transport layer. From these initial results, we derived an empirical mechanism to meet with a linear relationship that can allow us to design custom- made WOLEDs.
The genes of the sulphoquinovose catabolism in Escherichia coli are also associated with a previously unknown pathway of lactose degradation
Authors: Kaznadzey Anna , Shelyakin Pavel , Belousova Evgeniya , Eremina Aleksandra , Shvyreva Uliana , Bykova Darya , Emelianenko Vera , Korosteleva Anastasiya , Tutukina Maria , Gelfand Mikhail S. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractComparative genomics analysis of conserved gene cassettes demonstrated resemblance between a recently described cassette of genes involved in sulphoquinovose degradation in Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 and a Bacilli cassette linked with lactose degradation. Six genes from both cassettes had similar functions related to carbohydrate metabolism, namely, hydrolase, aldolase, kinase, isomerase, transporter, and transcription factor. The Escherichia coli sulphoglycolysis cassette was thus predicted to be associated with lactose degradation. This prediction was confirmed experimentally: expression of genes coding for aldolase (yihT), isomerase (yihS), and kinase (yihV) was dramatically increased during growth on lactose. These genes were previously shown to be activated during growth on sulphoquinovose, so our observation may indicate multi-functional capabilities of the respective proteins. Transcription starts for yihT, yihV and yihW were mapped in silico, in vitro and in vivo. Out of three promoters for yihT, one was active only during growth on lactose. We further showed that switches in yihT transcription are controlled by YihW, a DeoR-family transcription factor in the Escherichia coli cassette. YihW acted as a carbon source-dependent dual regulator involved in sustaining the baseline growth in the absence of lac-operon, with function either complementary, or opposite to a global regulator of carbohydrate metabolism, cAMP-CRP.
Ultrasound and shock-wave stimulation to promote axonal regeneration following nerve surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies
Authors: Daeschler Simeon C. , Harhaus Leila , Schoenle Philipp , Boecker Arne , Kneser Ulrich , Bergmeister Konstantin D. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLimited regeneration after nerve injury often leads to delayed or incomplete reinnervation and consequently insufficient muscle function. Following nerve surgery, application of low-intensity ultrasound or extracorporeal shock waves may promote nerve regeneration and improve functional outcomes. Because currently clinical data is unavailable, we performed a meta-analysis following the PRISMA-guidelines to investigate the therapeutic effect of ultrasound and shock wave therapies on motor nerve regeneration. Ten ultrasound-studies (N = 445 rats) and three shock-wave studies (N = 110 rats) were identified from multiple databases. We calculated the difference in means or standardized mean difference with 95% confidence intervals for motor function, nerve conduction velocity and histomorphological parameters of treated versus sham or non-treated animals. Ultrasound treatment showed significantly faster nerve conduction, increased axonal regeneration with thicker myelin and improved motor function on sciatic functional index scale (week two: DM[95%CI]: 19,03[13,2 to 25,6], 71 animals; week four: 7,4[5,4 to 9,5], 47 animals). Shock wave induced recovery improvements were temporarily significant. In conclusion, there is significant evidence for low-intensity ultrasound but not for extracorporeal shock wave treatment to improve nerve regeneration. Prospective clinical trials should therefore investigate available FDA-approved ultrasound devices as adjunct postoperative treatment following nerve surgery.
Allocation of photosynthesized carbon in an intensively farmed winter wheat–soil system as revealed by 14CO2 pulse labelling
Authors: Sun Zhaoan , Chen Qing , Han Xiao , Bol Roland , Qu Bo , Meng Fanqiao 
Published: February 2018

AbstractUnderstanding the rhizodeposited carbon (C) dynamics of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), is crucial for soil fertility and C sequestration. Pot-grown winter wheat was pulse labelled with 14CO2 at the key growth stages. 14C in the shoots, roots and soil was measured at 5 or 2 days after 14C-labelling (DAL 5/2) at each growth stage and at harvest. The 14C in the shoots increased from 4% of the net 14C recovered (shoots + roots + soil) during tillering to 53% at harvest. Approximately 14–34% of the net 14C recovered was incorporated into the soil. Allocation of photosynthesized C was extrapolated from the pot experiment to field condition, assuming a planting density of 1.8 million plants ha−1. The estimated C input to the soil was 1.7 t C ha−1, and 0.7 t C ha−1 of root residues was retained after wheat harvest; both values were higher than those previously reported (0.6 and 0.4 t C ha−1, respectively). Our findings highlight that C tracing during the entire crop season is necessary to quantify the temporal allocation of photosynthesized C, especially the contribution to soil carbon in intensified farming system.
Prediction of Advanced Axillary Lymph Node Metastases (ypN2-3) Using Breast MR imaging and PET/CT after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Kim Won Hwa , Lee Sang-Woo , Kim Hye Jung , Chae Yee Soo , Jeong Shin Young , Jung Jin Hyang , Park Ho Yong , Lee Won Kee 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe aimed to investigate the value of breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) in predicting advanced axillary lymph node (ALN) metastases (ypN2-3) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in invasive ductal carcinoma patients. A total of 108 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma underwent breast MR imaging and PET/CT both before and after NAC (termed initial staging and restaging, respectively). The number of positive ALNs and the short diameter (SD) of the largest ALN on breast MR imaging and maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in the ALNs on PET/CT were evaluated. Odds ratio (OR) for prediction of advanced ALN metastases was calculated. The negative predictive value (NPV) of restaging imaging for exclusion of advanced ALN metastases was also calculated. Patients with advanced ALN metastases were more likely to have a higher number (≥2) of positive LNs (OR, 8.06; P = 0.015) on restaging MR imaging. No clinico-pathological factors were significantly associated with advanced ALN metastases. With restaging MR imaging, PET/CT, and MR imaging plus PET/CT, the NPV for excluding advanced ALN metastases was 97.3%, 94.4%, and 100.0%. A higher number of positive ALNs on restaging MR imaging was an independent predictor for advanced ALN metastases after NAC.
Intratesticular injection followed by electroporation allows gene transfer in caprine spermatogenic cells
Authors: Pramod R. Kumar , Mitra Abhijit 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe production of transgenic livestock is constrained due to the limited success of currently available methods for transgenesis. Testis mediated gene transfer (TMGT) is an emerging method that shows a high success rate in generating transgenic mice. In this study, we report a newly developed protocol for electroporation-aided TMGT to produce a transgenic goat. The injectable volume and concentration of the transgene were first standardized, and then electroporation conditions were optimizedin vitro.In vivoexperiments were performed by injecting a transgenic construct (pIRES2-EGFP; enhanced green fluorescent protein) into the testicular interstitium followed by electroporation. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and western blotting analyses confirmed the successful transfer of the transgene into seminiferous tubules and testicular cells. Furthermore, chromosomal integration of the transgene and its expression in sperm were evaluated d60 and d120 post-electroporation. Our protocol neither altered the seminal characteristics nor the fertilization capacity of the sperm cells.In vitrofertilization using transgenic sperm generated fluorescent embryos. Finally, natural mating of a pre-founder buck produced a transgenic baby goat. The present study demonstrates the first successful report of an electroporation-aided TMGT method for gene transfer in goats.
CRISPR-Cas9, a tool to efficiently increase the development of recombinant African swine fever viruses
Authors: Borca Manuel V. , Holinka Lauren G. , Berggren Keith A. , Gladue Douglas P. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAfrican swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a highly contagious disease called African swine fever. This disease is often lethal for domestic pigs, causing extensive losses for the swine industry. ASFV is a large and complex double stranded DNA virus. Currently there is no commercially available treatment or vaccine to prevent this devastating disease. Development of recombinant ASFV for producing live-attenuated vaccines or studying the involvement of specific genes in virus virulence has relied on the relatively rare event of homologous recombination in primary swine macrophages, causing difficulty to purify the recombinant virus from the wild-type parental ASFV. Here we present the use of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system as a more robust and efficient system to produce recombinant ASFVs. Using CRISPR-Cas9 a recombinant virus was efficiently developed by deleting the non-essential gene 8-DR from the genome of the highly virulent field strain Georgia07 using swine macrophages as cell substrate.
A role for tau in learning, memory and synaptic plasticity
Authors: Biundo Fabrizio , Del Prete Dolores , Zhang Hong , Arancio Ottavio , D’Adamio Luciano 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTau plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders: mutations in the gene encoding for tau (MAPT) are linked to Fronto-temporal Dementia (FTD) and hyper-phosphorylated aggregates of tau forming neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that constitute a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD) and FTD. Accordingly, tau is a favored therapeutic target for the treatment of these diseases. Given the criticality of tau to dementia’s pathogenesis and therapy, it is important to understand the physiological function of tau in the central nervous system. Analysis of Mapt knock out (Mapt−/−) mice has yielded inconsistent results. Some studies have shown that tau deletion does not alter memory while others have described synaptic plasticity and memory alterations in Mapt−/− mice. To help clarifying these contrasting results, we analyzed a distinct Mapt−/− model on a B6129PF3/J genetic background. We found that tau deletion leads to aging-dependent short-term memory deficits, hyperactivity and synaptic plasticity defects. In contrast, Mapt+/− mice only showed a mild short memory deficit in the novel object recognition task. Thus, while tau is important for normal neuronal functions underlying learning and memory, partial reduction of tau expression may have fractional deleterious effects.
A multitarget approach to drug discovery inhibiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis PyrG and PanK
Authors: Chiarelli Laurent R. , Mori Giorgia , Orena Beatrice Silvia , Esposito Marta , Lane Thomas , de Jesus Lopes Ribeiro Ana Luisa , Degiacomi Giulia , Zemanová Júlia , Szádocka Sára , Huszár Stanislav , Palčeková Zuzana , Manfredi Marcello , Gosetti Fabio , Lelièvre Joël , Ballell Lluis , Kazakova Elena , Makarov Vadim , Marengo Emilio , Mikusova Katarina , Cole Stewart T. , Riccardi Giovanna , Ekins Sean , Pasca Maria Rosalia 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of the infectious disease tuberculosis, kills approximately 1.5 million people annually, while the spread of multidrug-resistant strains is of great global concern. Thus, continuous efforts to identify new antitubercular drugs as well as novel targets are crucial. Recently, two prodrugs activated by the monooxygenase EthA, 7947882 and 7904688, which target the CTP synthetase PyrG, were identified and characterized. In this work, microbiological, biochemical, and in silico methodologies were used to demonstrate that both prodrugs possess a second target, the pantothenate kinase PanK. This enzyme is involved in coenzyme A biosynthesis, an essential pathway for M. tuberculosis growth. Moreover, compound 11426026, the active metabolite of 7947882, was demonstrated to directly inhibit PanK, as well. In an independent screen of a compound library against PyrG, two additional inhibitors were also found to be active against PanK. In conclusion, these direct PyrG and PanK inhibitors can be considered as leads for multitarget antitubercular drugs and these two enzymes could be employed as a “double-tool” in order to find additional hit compounds.
Anti-inflammatory effect of Tauroursodeoxycholic acid in RAW 264.7 macrophages, Bone marrow-derived macrophages, BV2 microglial cells, and spinal cord injury
Authors: Kim Seong Jun , Ko Wan-Kyu , Jo Min-Jae , Arai Yoshie , Choi Hyemin , Kumar Hemant , Han In-Bo , Sohn Seil 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. We induced an inflammatory process in RAW 264.7 macrophages, BV2 microglial cells, and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The anti-inflammatory effects of TUDCA on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, BV2 microglial cells, and BMMs were analyzed using nitric oxide (NO) assays, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions (qRT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The pathological changes in lesions of the spinal cord tissue were evaluated by hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining, luxol fast blue/cresyl violet-staining and immunofluorescent staining. TUDCA decreased the LPS-stimulated inflammatory mediator, NO. It also suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1-β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in both mRNA and protein levels. In addition, TUDCA decreased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). After SCI, TUDCA supported the recovery of the injury site and suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as iNOS, CD68 and CD86. In addition, TUDCA induced the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine, Arg-1. In conclusion, TUDCA inhibits inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 macrophages, BV2 microglial cells, and BMMs. TUDCA can be a potential alternative drug for SCI.
A Virgo Environmental Survey Tracing Ionised Gas Emission (VESTIGE)
Authors: Fossati M. , Mendel J. T. , Boselli A. , Cuillandre J. C. , Vollmer B. , Boissier S. , Consolandi G. , Ferrarese L. , Gwyn S. , Amram P. , Boquien M. , Buat V. , Burgarella D. , Cortese L. , Côté P. , Côté S. , Durrell P. , Fumagalli M. , Gavazzi G. , Gomez-Lopez J. , Hensler G. , Koribalski B. , Longobardi A. , Peng E. W. , Roediger J. , Sun M. , Toloba E. 
Published: February 2018

The Virgo Environmental Survey Tracing Ionised Gas Emission (VESTIGE) is a blind narrow-band Hα+ [NII] imaging survey carried out with MegaCam at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. During pilot observations taken in the spring of 2016 we observed NGC 4330, an intermediate mass (M*≃ 109.8M⊙) edge-on star forming spiral currently falling into the core of the Virgo cluster. While previous Hαobservations showed a clumpy complex of ionised gas knots outside the galaxy disc, new deep observations revealed a low surface brightness ~10 kpc tail exhibiting a peculiar filamentary structure. The filaments are remarkably parallel to one another and clearly indicate the direction of motion of the galaxy in the Virgo potential. Motivated by the detection of these features which indicate ongoing gas stripping, we collected literature photometry in 15 bands from the far-UV to the far-IR and deep optical long-slit spectroscopy using the FORS2 instrument at the ESO Very Large Telescope. Using a newly developed Monte Carlo code that jointly fits spectroscopy and photometry, we reconstructed the star formation histories in apertures along the major axis of the galaxy. Our results have been validated against the output of CIGALE, a fitting code which has been previously used for similar studies. We found a clear outside-in gradient with radius of the time when the quenching event started: the outermost radii were stripped ~500 Myr ago, while the stripping reached the inner 5 kpc from the centre in the last 100 Myr. Regions at even smaller radii are currently still forming stars fueled by the presence of HI and H2gas. When compared to statistical studies of the quenching timescales in the local Universe we find that ram pressure stripping of the cold gas is an effective mechanism to reduce the transformation times for galaxies falling into massive clusters. Future systematic studies of all the active galaxies observed by VESTIGE in the Virgo cluster will extend these results to a robust statistical framework.
Dihydroxylation of Olefins with Potassium Permanganate Catalyzed­ by Imidazolium Salt
Authors: Luo Zhi-Bin , Xie Ji-Min , Khan Imran , Valeru Anil , Xu Yin , Liu Bin , Sangepu Bhavanarushi 
Published: February 2018

The development of an efficient and cost-effective cis-di­hydroxylation reaction of acrylate derivatives was achieved. The reaction proceeded in acetone with an imidazolium salt as catalyst to furnish the dihydroxylation of olefins at 0–5 °C using KMnO4 as the oxidant. This efficient and non-aqueous protocol was highly suitable for the large-scale preparation of cis-dihydroxylated compounds from the corresponding acrylate derivatives in high yields without overoxidation.