bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of golden hamster embryos effectively produced by injection of sperm heads sonicated in Tris‐HCl buffer with EGTA
Authors: Morishita Nami , Ochi Masanori , Horiuchi Toshitaka 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the effects of sperm treatment medium—TCM199 or EGTA in Tris‐HCl buffer (TBS + EGTA)―for sonication of frozen‐thawed hamster spermatozoa in terms of sperm chromosome integrity and development of hamster oocytes injected with the sperm heads (ICSI).MethodsFrozen‐thawed hamster spermatozoa were separated into heads and tails by sonication in TCM199 or TBS + EGTA. Sperm heads were injected into mouse oocytes to assess hamster sperm chromosomes. We further compared the development of hamster ICSI embryos produced by injecting sonicated sperm heads in TCM199 vs TBS + EGTA.ResultsSperm chromosome integrity was greater following sonication of frozen‐thawed hamster spermatozoa in TBS + EGTA than in TCM199 (89.7% vs 69.0%). Embryonic development was improved following hamster oocyte injection with sperm heads sonicated in TBS + EGTA compared to in TCM199 (8‐cell: 84.1% vs 65.4%; morula: 78.4% vs 43.2%; blastocyst: 42.0% vs 17.3%). Gene expression of zygotic genome activation in 2‐cell embryos was significantly higher with TBS + EGTA than with TCM199. We transferred 43 morulae/blastocysts from the TBS + EGTA group to foster mothers, and 4 (9.3%) developed into live offspring.ConclusionThese results showed that the rapid injection of hamster sperm heads separated by sonication in TBS + EGTA effectively produced more ICSI embryos during a short time.
Structure‐Modulated Complexation of Actinides with Phosphonates: A Combined Experimental and Quantum Chemical Investigation
Authors: Chandrasekar Aditi , Rao C. V. S. Brahmmananda , Sundararajan Mahesh , Ghanty Tapan K. , Nagarajan Sivaraman 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPhosphonates have shown promising specificity and remarkable extractability towards actinide elements. Among all the organophosphorous compounds, phosphonates have the dual advantage of simplicity in preparation coupled with the flexibility to tailor‐make their carbon chain structure. In the present work the relationship between structure and metal binding affinity of phosphonates has been examined both experimentally and quantum mechanically. Symmetrical Diisobutylisobutyl, Diisoamylisoamyl and unsymmetrical Diisoamylhexyl and Diisoamylbutyl branched phosphonates were synthesised and characterised by NMR and GC‐MS. These ligands were used to bind Th(IV), U(VI), Pu(IV) and Am(III) at the liquid‐liquid interface. The ligands also were examined for their physicochemical properties of density, viscosity, aqueous solubility and dielectric constant which are significantly affected by changes in the alkyl chain structure. A combination of physico‐chemical parameters, as well as the structure modulated chemical nature of the extractants, cause variations in the distribution ratios towards metal ions. These effects have been probed in detail using Th(IV), U(VI), Pu(IV) and Am(III) ion extractions and found to correlate with the carbon chain length of the organic groups on the phosphoryl centre. Further, density functional theory was employed to understand the electronic structure of the extractants and metal complexes. The computed complexation energies in the formation of metal‐ligand complexes compared well with the trends observed in the experiments. Both experiment and quantum chemistry emphasizes the importance of the carbon chain structure on the actinide binding ability of phosphonate ligands.
Heterogeneous Electrocatalysts for Efficient Water Oxidation Derived from Metal Phthalocyanine
Authors: Joya Khurram Saleem , Ul Ain Babar Noor , Gilani Syeda Robina , Yasmeen Farhat , Sarfaraz Muhammad , Ikram Sehrish , Colak Süleyman Gökhan , Ocakoglu Kasim , Ince Mine 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDesigning an efficient electrocatalytic system for water splitting with high stability using low‐cost materials and simple methods is highly demanded for application in chemical energy conversion. Here, we show active water oxidation catalysis using surface immobilized Co and Ni‐based heterogeneous electrocatalytic assemblages, by the conversion of molecular precursors into more efficient heterogeneous phase electrocatalysts. The inorganic nanostructured electrocatalysts are developed by simple low‐temperature surface spraying from homogeneous CoPc and NiPc solutions following short time heat treatment at 350°C and 500°C. On NiOx and CoOx based electrocatalysts (CoOx500@FTO, NiOx350@FTO) derived from CoPc and NiPc molecular precursors, oxygen evolution initiates at 1.54 V (vs. RHE) [η=310 mV] and 1.55 V (vs. RHE) [η=320 mV], respectively. The electrocatalysts also show good stability during repetitive potential scans under alkaline conditions. Each of catalyst under study produces remarkable current densities just at an overpotential of η=0.45 V during long‐term water electrolysis experiments conducted for 12 hours. It illustrates the high stability of as‐deposited catalyst under harsh oxidative conditions. This unique slant provides a simplistic way for transformation of molecular catalyst into nanoscale catalyst using a much lower amount of molecular precursor.
Nitrogen Self‐Doped Hierarchical Porous Carbon from Myriophyllum Aquaticum for Supercapacitor Electrode
Authors: Shen Feng , Zhu Linfeng , Qi Xinhua 
Published: October 2018

AbstractNitrogen self‐doped carbon with hierarchical porous structure was fabricated via a simple but highly efficient method, where an aquatic plant myriophyllum aquaticum was used as both carbon and nitrogen precursors. The obtained carbons had 2.3∼3% nitrogen content which was self‐doped attributing to the high nitrogen content of myriophyllum aquaticum, thus eliminating the need of extra nitrogen addition. It discovered that KHCO3 was more efficient than traditional widely used CO2 to generate porous carbons (total surface areas 1765 vs 1003 m2/g). Hierarchical porous structure with macro‐, meso‐ and micro‐pores could be formed with the use of KHCO3 instead of CO2 (only micro‐and meso‐pores in the carbon). The myriophyllum aquaticum derived carbons were applied for the electrodes of supercapacitor, and the electrochemical performance of the KHCO3 activated carbons was superior to that of CO2 activated carbons (248 F/g vs 199 F/g). The excellent performance of myriophyllum aquaticum derived carbons via KHCO3 activation could be attributed to its unique surface functionalities and pore structures including nitrogen containing groups, high surface area and hierarchical structure. The outcomes of this work offer a low cost and scalable approach to prepare nitrogen self‐doped porous carbons from discarded myriophyllum aquaticum.
Single‐Nanostructured Electrochemical Detection for Intrinsic Mechanism of Energy Storage: Progress and Prospect
Authors: Farooqi Sidra Anis , Wang Xianfu , Lu Haoliang , Li Qun , Tang Kai , Chen Yu , Yan Chenglin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractEnergy storage appliances are active by means of accompanying components for renewable energy resources that play a significant role in the advanced world. To further improve the electrochemical properties of the lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), and lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, the electrochemical detection of the intrinsic mechanisms and dynamics of electrodes in batteries is required to guide the rational design of electrodes. Thus, several researches have conducted in situ investigations and real‐time observations of electrode evolution, ion diffusion pathways, and side reactions during battery operation at the nanoscale, which are proven to be extremely insightful. However, the in situ cells are required to be compatible for electrochemical tests and are therefore often challenging to operate. In the past few years, tremendous progresses have been made with novel and more advanced in situ electrochemical detection methods for mechanism studies, especially single‐nanostructured electrodes. Herein, a comprehensive review of in situ techniques based on single‐nanostructured electrodes for studying electrodes changes in LIBs, SIBs, and Li–S batteries, including structure evolution, phase transition, interface formation, and the ion diffusion pathway is provided, which is instructive and meaningful for the optimization of battery systems.
GLIS3 Transcriptionally Activates WNT Genes to Promote Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Posterior Neural Progenitors
Authors: Jeon Kilsoo , Kumar Dhirendra , Conway Amanda E. , Park Kyeyoon , Jothi Raja , Jetten Anton M. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Anterior–posterior (A–P) specification of the neural tube involves initial acquisition of anterior fate followed by the induction of posterior characteristics in the primitive anterior neuroectoderm. Several morphogens have been implicated in the regulation of A–P neural patterning; however, our understanding of the upstream regulators of these morphogens remains incomplete. Here, we show that the Krüppel-like zinc finger transcription factor GLI-Similar 3 (GLIS3) can direct differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into posterior neural progenitor cells in lieu of the default anterior pathway. Transcriptomic analyses reveal that this switch in cell fate is due to rapid activation of Wingless/Integrated (WNT) signaling pathway. Mechanistically, through genome-wide RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq, and functional analyses, we show that GLIS3 binds to and directly regulates the transcription of several WNT genes, including the strong posteriorizing factor WNT3A, and that inhibition of WNT signaling is sufficient to abrogate GLIS3-induced posterior specification. Our findings suggest a potential role for GLIS3 in the regulation of A–P specification through direct transcriptional activation of WNT genes. Stem Cells 2018 Stem Cells 2019;37:202–215
SMAD4 Is Essential for Human Cardiac Mesodermal Precursor Cell Formation
Authors: Xu Jiejia , Gruber Peter J. , Chien Kenneth R. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Understanding stage-specific molecular mechanisms of human cardiomyocyte (CM) progenitor formation and subsequent differentiation are critical to identify pathways that might lead to congenital cardiovascular defects and malformations. In particular, gene mutations in the transforming growth factor (TGF)β superfamily signaling pathways can cause human congenital heart defects, and murine loss of function studies of a central component in this pathway, Smad4, leads to early embryonic lethality. To define the role of SMAD4 at the earliest stages of human cardiogenesis, we generated SMAD4 mutant human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Herein, we show that the loss of SMAD4 has no effect on hESC self-renewal, or neuroectoderm formation, but is essential for the formation of cardiac mesoderm, with a subsequent complete loss of CM formation during human ES cell cardiogenesis. Via transcriptional profiling, we show that SMAD4 mutant cell lines fail to generate cardiac mesodermal precursors, clarifying a role of NODAL/SMAD4 signaling in cardiac mesodermal precursor formation via enhancing the expression of primitive streak genes. Since SMAD4 relative pathways have been linked to congenital malformations, it will become of interest to determine whether these may due, in part, to defective cell fate decision during cardiac mesodermal precursor formation. Stem Cells 2018 Stem Cells 2019;37:216–225
Spatial‐Decomposition Analysis of Electrical Conductivity
Authors: Matubayasi Nobuyuki 
Published: October 2018

AbstractSpatial decomposition is conducted for the electrical conductivity. The contribution per ion pair at a certain distance is identified in terms of a two‐body velocity time correlation function and is integrated over the whole distance of the ion pair to provide the cross‐correlation term of the conductivity. The spatial‐decomposition formula is an exact expression at any concentrations of ions and incorporates physically appealing pictures in the space domain into the theory of time correlation functions. Illustrative analyses are presented for 1m NaCl aqueous solution and the [C4mim][NTf2] ionic liquid. The contrast between the two systems is discussed for the time and spatial ranges of correlations, and it is shown that the ion‐pair contribution to the conductivity for the [C4mim][NTf2] system is not localized and extends beyond the first coordination shell of the cation‐anion pair.
Operando XAFS Imaging of Distribution of Pt Cathode Catalysts in PEFC MEA
Authors: Matsui Hirosuke , Maejima Naoyuki , Ishiguro Nozomu , Tan Yuanyuan , Uruga Tomoya , Sekizawa Oki , Sakata Tomohiro , Tada Mizuki 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThree‐dimensional imaging using X‐ray as a probe is state‐of‐the‐art for the characterization of heterogeneous materials. In addition to simple imaging of sample morphology, imaging of elemental distribution and chemical states provides advanced maps of key structural parameters of functional materials. The combination of X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy and three‐dimensional imaging such as computed tomography (CT) can visualize the three‐dimensional distribution of target elements, their valence states, and local structures in a non‐destructive manner. In this personal account, our recent results on the three‐dimensional XAFS imaging for Pt cathode catalysts in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) are introduced. The distribution and chemical states of Pt cathode catalysts in MEAs remarkably change under PEFC operating conditions, and the 3D XAFS imaging revealed essential events in PEFC MEAs.
Determination of mammalianDNAin commercial canine diets with uncommon and limited ingredients
Authors: Fossati Lara A. , Larsen Jennifer A. , Villaverde Cecilia , Fascetti Andrea J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractOver‐the‐counter (OTC) limited ingredient canine diets could be reliable alternatives to veterinary therapeutic formulations for the diagnosis and management of adverse food reaction (AFR). However, the possibility of undeclared ingredients jeopardizes the efficacious use ofOTCoptions for medical purposes. The objective was to determine the presence of undeclared ingredients inOTCcanine dry diets marketed as limited or single protein source diets. Twenty‐oneOTCadult canine diets marketed as limited or single protein source diets were purchased. MultiplexPCRwas used to screen forDNAof 10 mammalian species with species‐specific primers that anneal to regions of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The presence ofDNAfrom one or more species not declared on the label was identified in all 21 diets: cow(Bos taurus), pig (Sus scrofa), sheep (Ovissp.), goat (Capra hircus) and bison (Bison bison). Twenty diets were positive for the declared protein source and one diet was negative for the declared species. Cat (Felis catus),dog (Canis sp.),horse (Equus sp.), mouse (Mus musculus) and rat (Rattus norvegicus)DNAwas not identified in any samples. The presence of undeclared mammal species inOTCcanine dry diets marketed as having limited or single protein source ingredients may complicateAFRdiagnosis and treatment. However,PCRcan detect a miniscule amount ofDNAwhich might not be clinically significant, because the amount needed to elicit a response is unknown. Quantification of the contamination was not determined in this study, precluding discrimination of intentional adulteration from unavoidable cross‐contamination.
Outcome of Self‐Expanding Metal Stents in the Treatment of Anastomotic Leaks After Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy
Authors: Plum Patrick Sven , Herbold Till , Berlth Felix , Christ Hildegard , Alakus Hakan , Bludau Marc , Chang De‐Hua , Bruns Christiane Josephine , Hölscher Arnulf Heinrich , Chon Seung‐Hun 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundEsophageal anastomotic leakages after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy are severe and life‐threatening complications. We analyzed the outcome of using self‐expanding metal stents (SEMS) in the treatment of postoperative leakage after esophagogastrostomy.MethodsSeventy patients with esophageal anastomotic leakage after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for esophageal cancer who had received SEMS treatment between January 2006 and December 2015 at our clinic were identified in this retrospective study. The patients were analyzed according to demographic characteristics, risk factors, leakage characteristics, stent characteristics, stent‐related complications, sealing success rate and mortality.ResultsOver a 10‐year period, 70 patients received SEMS as treatment for postoperative anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy. Technical success of esophageal stenting in anastomotic leakage was achieved in 50 out of 70 cases (71.4%). Sealing success rate was 70% (n = 49) with a median treatment of 28 days (range 7–87). In 20 patients (28.6%), stent‐related complications, such as stenosis, dislocation, leakage persistence, perforation or esophagotracheal fistula occurred after the SEMS treatment. Sixty‐one patients (87.1%) survived SEMS treatment of esophagogastric anastomotic leakage. Mean follow‐up for all patients was 38 months (IQR 10–76), and no significant difference was found in a comparison of the long‐term survival rate between patients with successful and unsuccessful SEMS treatment.ConclusionsThe management of esophageal anastomotic leaks after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy with SEMS is effective, safe and technically feasible. Aggressive non‐surgical management should be considered when developing a treatment plan for stenting.
Purification and characterization of indochrome type blue pigment produced by Pseudarthrobacter sp. 34LCH1 isolated from Atacama desert
Authors: Finger Sebastian , Godoy Félix A , Wittwer Geraldine , Aranda Carlos P , Calderón Raúl , Miranda Claudio D 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
The interest in and demand for natural dyes has increased significantly in recent years; however, very few natural blue dyes are commercially available, because blue colored compounds in nature are relatively rare. In this study, a blue pigment-producing bacteria from Lake Chungará (Atacama Desert, Chile) was isolated, and its blue pigment was purified and chemically characterized. The pigment-producing strain was identified as Pseudarthrobacter sp. by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The pigment was separated from the filtered culture medium by column chromatography/solid-phase extraction using different resins (ionic exchange, C-18, size exclusion). The strain produced up to 2.5 g L−1 of blue pigment, which was very soluble in water, partially soluble in methanol and insoluble in other organic solvents. The pigment was analyzed and characterized by analytical HPLC, UV–Vis, FT-IR, and H-NMR, and purified by semi-preparative HPLC. The pigment was non-toxic to brine shrimp (LD50 &gt; 2.3 g L−1) and was stable at pH 6–10 at temperatures below 60 °C. HPLC analysis shows that the pigment is composed of four major blue fractions. The physicochemical properties and structural analysis demonstrate that this pigment belongs to the indochrome isomers, whose properties have yet to have been characterized. The high solubility in water, good stability in neutral and basic pH, and negligible toxicity of the blue pigment make it a good candidate suitable for several industrial and possibly some food applications.
Secondary flows due to finite aspect ratio in inertialess viscoelastic Taylor–Couette flow
Authors: Davoodi M. , Lerouge S. , Norouzi M. , Poole R. J. 
Published: October 2018

Both in rheometry and in fundamental fluid mechanics studies, the Taylor–Couette geometry is used frequently to investigate viscoelastic fluids. In order to ensure a constant shear rate in the gap between the inner and outer cylinders, such studies are usually restricted to the small-gap limit where the assumption of a linear velocity distribution is well justified. In conjunction with a sufficiently large aspect ratio$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$(i.e. ratio of cylinder height to gap), the flow is then assumed to be viscometric. Here we demonstrate, using a perturbation technique with the curvature ratio (i.e. ratio of the half-gap to the mid-radius of the cylinders) as the perturbation parameter, full nonlinear simulations using a finite-volume technique, and supporting experiments, that, even in the creeping-flow (inertialess) narrow-gap limit, for viscoelastic fluids end effects due to finite aspect ratio always give rise to a secondary motion. Using the constant-viscosity Oldroyd-B model we are able to show that this secondary motion, as has been observed in related pressure-driven flows with curvature, such as the viscoelastic Dean flow, is solely a consequence of the combination of gradients of the first normal-stress difference and curvature. Our results show that end effects can significantly change the flow characteristics, especially for small aspect ratios, and this may have important consequences in some situations such as the onset criteria for purely elastic instabilities.
Holocene glacier fluctuations and environmental changes in subantarctic South Georgia inferred from a sediment record from a coastal inlet
Authors: Berg Sonja , White Duanne A. , Jivcov Sandra , Melles Martin , Leng Melanie J. , Rethemeyer Janet , Allen Claire , Perren Bianca , Bennike Ole , Viehberg Finn 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe subantarctic island of South Georgia provides terrestrial and coastal marine records of climate variability, which are crucial for the understanding of the drivers of Holocene climate changes in the subantarctic region. Here we investigate a sediment core (Co1305) from a coastal inlet on South Georgia using elemental, lipid biomarker, diatom, and stable isotope data to infer changes in environmental conditions and to constrain the timing of late-glacial and Holocene glacier fluctuations. Because of the scarcity of terrestrial macrofossils and the presence of redeposited and relict organic matter in the sediments, age control for the record was obtained by compound-specific radiocarbon dating of mostly marine-derivedn-C16fatty acids. A basal till layer recovered in Little Jason Lagoon was likely deposited during an advance of local glaciers during the Antarctic cold reversal. After glacier retreat, an oligotrophic lake occupied the site, which transitioned to a marine inlet around 8.0±0.9 ka because of relative sea-level rise. From 7.0±0.6 to 4.0±0.4 ka, reduced vegetation coverage in the catchment, as well as high siliciclastic input and deposition of ice-rafted debris, indicates glacier advances in the terrestrial catchment and likely in the adjacent fjord. A second, less extensive period of glacier advances occurred in the late Holocene, after 1.8±0.3 ka.