bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
One-step Preparation of Nanoarchitectured TiO2 on Porous Al as Integrated Anode for High-performance Lithium-ion Batteries
Authors: Du Xianfeng , Wang Qianwen , Feng Tianyu , Chen Xizi , Li Liang , Li Long , Meng Xiangfei , Xiong Lilong , Sun Xiaofei , Lu Lu , Xu Youlong 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTitanium dioxide (TiO2) is an attractive anode material for energy storage devices due to its low-volume-change and high safety. However, TiO2 anodes usually suffer from poor electrical and ionic conductivity, thus causing dramatic degradation of electrochemical performance at rapid charge/discharge rates, which has hindered its use in energy storage devices. Here, we present a novel strategy to address this main obstacle via using nanoarchitectured TiO2 anode consisting of mesoporous TiO2 wrapped in carbon on a tunnel-like etched aluminum substrate prepared by a simple one-step approach. As a result of this nanoarchitecture arrangement, the anode exhibits excellent rate performance and superior cyclability. A rate up to 100 C is achieved with a high specific capacity of about 95 mA h g−1 and without apparent decay after 8,000 cycles.
Spinal cord injury affects the interplay between visual and sensorimotor representations of the body
Authors: Ionta Silvio , Villiger Michael , Jutzeler Catherine R , Freund Patrick , Curt Armin , Gassert Roger 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe brain integrates multiple sensory inputs, including somatosensory and visual inputs, to produce a representation of the body. Spinal cord injury (SCI) interrupts the communication between brain and body and the effects of this deafferentation on body representation are poorly understood. We investigated whether the relative weight of somatosensory and visual frames of reference for body representation is altered in individuals with incomplete or complete SCI (affecting lower limbs’ somatosensation), with respect to controls. To study the influence of afferent somatosensory information on body representation, participants verbally judged the laterality of rotated images of feet, hands and whole-bodies (mental rotation task) in two different postures (participants’ body parts were hidden from view). We found that (i) complete SCI disrupts the influence of postural changes on the representation of the deafferented body parts (feet, but not hands) and (ii) regardless of posture, whole-body representation progressively deteriorates proportionally to SCI completeness. These results demonstrate that the cortical representation of the body is dynamic, responsive and adaptable to contingent conditions, in that the role of somatosensation is altered and partially compensated with a change in the relative weight of somatosensory versus visual bodily representations.
Introducing Discrete Frequency Infrared Technology for High-Throughput Biofluid Screening
Authors: Hughes Caryn , Clemens Graeme , Bird Benjamin , Dawson Timothy , Ashton Katherine M. , Jenkinson Michael D. , Brodbelt Andrew , Weida Miles , Fotheringham Edeline , Barre Matthew , Rowlette Jeremy , Baker Matthew J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAccurate early diagnosis is critical to patient survival, management and quality of life. Biofluids are key to early diagnosis due to their ease of collection and intimate involvement in human function. Large-scale mid-IR imaging of dried fluid deposits offers a high-throughput molecular analysis paradigm for the biomedical laboratory. The exciting advent of tuneable quantum cascade lasers allows for the collection of discrete frequency infrared data enabling clinically relevant timescales. By scanning targeted frequencies spectral quality, reproducibility and diagnostic potential can be maintained while significantly reducing acquisition time and processing requirements, sampling 16 serum spots with 0.6, 5.1 and 15% relative standard deviation (RSD) for 199, 14 and 9 discrete frequencies respectively. We use this reproducible methodology to show proof of concept rapid diagnostics; 40 unique dried liquid biopsies from brain, breast, lung and skin cancer patients were classified in 2.4 cumulative seconds against 10 non-cancer controls with accuracies of up to 90%.
Courtship Pheromone Use in a Model Urodele, the Mexican Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)
Authors: Maex Margo , Van Bocxlaer Ines , Mortier Anneleen , Proost Paul , Bossuyt Franky 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSex pheromones have been shown to constitute a crucial aspect of salamander reproduction. Until now, courtship pheromones of Salamandridae and Plethodontidae have been intensively studied, but information on chemical communication in other urodelan families is essentially lacking. The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum, Ambystomatidae) has a courtship display that suggests a key role for chemical communication in the orchestration of its sexual behavior, but no sex pheromones have yet been characterized from this species. Here we combined whole transcriptome analyses of the male cloaca with proteomic analyses of water in which axolotls were allowed to court to show that male axolotls secrete multiple ca. 20 kDa glycosylated sodefrin precursor-like factor (SPF) proteins during courtship. In combination with phylogenetic analyses, our data show that the male cloaca essentially secretes a courtship-specific clade of SPF proteins that is orthologous to salamandrid courtship pheromones. In addition, we identified an SPF protein for which no orthologs have been described from other salamanders so far. Overall, our study advocates a central role for SPF proteins during the courtship display of axolotls and adds knowledge on pheromone use in a previously unexplored deep evolutionary branch of salamander evolution.
The well-designed hierarchical structure of Musa basjoo for supercapacitors
Authors: Zheng Kaiwen , Fan Xiaorong , Mao Yingzhu , Lin Jingkai , Dai Wenxuan , Zhang Junying , Cheng Jue 
Published: February 2016

AbstractApplication of biological structure is one of the hottest topics in the field of science and technology. The unimaginable and excellent architectures of living beings supporting their vital activities have attracted the interests of worldwide researchers. An intriguing example is Musa basjoo which belongs to the herb, while appears like a tree. The profound mystery of structure and potential application of Musa basjoo have not been probed. Here we show the finding of the hierarchical structure of Musa basjoo and the outstanding electrochemical performance of the super-capacitors fabricated through the simple carbonization of Musa basjoo followed by KOH activation. Musa basjoo has three layers of structure: nanometer-level, micrometer-level and millimeter-level. The nanometer-level structure constructs the micrometer-level structure, while the micrometer-level structure constructs the millimeter-level structure. Based on this hierarchical structure, Musa basjoo reduces the unnecessary weight and therefore supports its huge body. The super-capacitors derived from Musa basjoo display a high specific capacitance and a good cycling stability. This enlightening work opens a window for the applications of the natural structure and we hope that more and more people could pay attention to the bio-inspired materials.
Biosynthetic route towards saxitoxin and shunt pathway
Authors: Tsuchiya Shigeki , Cho Yuko , Konoki Keiichi , Nagasawa Kazuo , Oshima Yasukatsu , Yotsu-Yamashita Mari 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSaxitoxin, the most potent voltage-gated sodium channel blocker, is one of the paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) produced by cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates. Recently, putative biosynthetic genes of PSTs were reported in these microorganisms. We previously synthesized genetically predicted biosynthetic intermediates, Int-A’ and Int-C’2 and also Cyclic-C’ which was not predicted based on gene and identified them all in the toxin-producing cyanobacteriumAnabaena circinalis(TA04) and the dinoflagellateAlexandrium tamarense(Axat-2). This study examined the incorporation of15N-labeled intermediates into PSTs (C1 and C2) inA. circinalis(TA04). Conversions from Int-A’ to Int-C’2, from Int-C’2 to Cyclic-C’ and from Int-A’ and Int-C’2 to C1 and C2 were indicated using high resolution-LC/MS. However, Cyclic-C’ was not converted to C1 and C2 and was detected primarily in the extracellular medium. These results suggest that Int-A’ and Int-C’2 are genuine precursors of PSTs, but Int-C’2 converts partially to Cyclic-C’ which is a shunt product excreted to outside the cells. This paper provides the first direct demonstration of the biosynthetic route towards saxitoxin and a shunt pathway.
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease from elevated olfactory mucosal miR-206 level
Authors: Moon Jangsup , Lee Soon-Tae , Kong Il Gyu , Byun Jung-Ick , Sunwoo Jun-Sang , Shin Jung-Won , Shim Ji-Young , Park Ji-Hyun , Jeon Daejong , Jung Keun-Hwa , Jung Ki-Young , Kim Dong-Young , Lee Sang Kun , Kim Manho , Chu Kon 
Published: February 2016

AbstractMicroRNA-206, which suppresses the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, is known to be elevated in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. We performed intranasal biopsy of the olfactory epithelia of early dementia patients (n = 24) and cognitively healthy controls (n = 9). Patients with significant depression (n = 8) were analyzed separately, as their cognitive impairments were thought to be caused by their depression. Real-time PCR was performed on the biopsied tissues. The relative microRNA-206 level exhibited a 7.8-fold increase (P = 0.004) in the mild cognitive impairment group (CDR 0.5; n = 13) and a 41.5-fold increase (P < 0.001) in the CDR 1 group (n = 11). However, this level was not increased in the depression group, even in those with cognitive decline. Using the optimal cutoff value, the sensitivity/specificity for diagnosing CDR 0.5 and CDR 1 dementia were 87.5%/94.1% and 90.9%/93.3%, respectively. In ROC analysis, the AUCs were 0.942 and 0.976 in the CDR 0.5 and CDR 1 groups, respectively. The olfactory mucosal microRNA-206 level and cognitive assessment scores were significantly correlated in the non-depressed subjects with cognitive impairment. In conclusion, the olfactory mucosal microRNA-206 level can be easily measured and it can be utilized as an excellent biomarker for the diagnosis of early AD, including mild cognitive impairment.
Visualizing tropoelastin in a long-term human elastic fibre cell culture model
Authors: Halm M. , Schenke-Layland K. , Jaspers S. , Wenck H. , Fischer F. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractElastin is an essential protein found in a variety of tissues where resilience and flexibility are needed, such as the skin and the heart. When aiming to engineer suitable implants, elastic fibres are needed to allow adequate tissue renewal. However, the visualization of human elastogenesis remains in the dark. To date, the visualization of human tropoelastin (TE) production in a human cell context and its fibre assembly under live cell conditions has not been achieved. Here, we present a long-term cell culture model of human dermal fibroblasts expressing fluorescence-labelled human TE. We employed a lentiviral system to stably overexpress Citrine-labelled TE to build a fluorescent fibre network. Using immunofluorescence, we confirmed the functionality of the Citrine-tagged TE. Furthermore, we visualized the fibre assembly over the course of several days using confocal microscopy. Applying super resolution microscopy, we were able to investigate the inner structure of the elastin–fibrillin-1 fibre network. Future investigations will allow the tracking of TE produced under various conditions. In tissue engineering applications the fluorescent fibre network can be visualized under various conditions or it serves as a tool for investigating fibre degradation processes in disease-in-a-dish-models.
Spatial and seasonal variations of isoprene secondary organic aerosol in China: Significant impact of biomass burning during winter
Authors: Ding Xiang , He Quan-Fu , Shen Ru-Qin , Yu Qing-Qing , Zhang Yu-Qing , Xin Jin-Yuan , Wen Tian-Xue , Wang Xin-Ming 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIsoprene is a substantial contributor to global secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The formation of isoprene SOA (SOAI) is highly influenced by anthropogenic emissions. Currently, there is rare information regarding SOAI in polluted regions. In this study, one-year concurrent observation of SOAI tracers was undertaken at 12 sites across China for the first time. The tracers formed from the HO2-channel exhibited higher concentrations at rural sites, while the tracer formed from the NO/NO2-channel showed higher levels at urban sites. 3-Methyltetrahydrofuran-3,4-diols exhibited linear correlations with their ring-opening products, C5-alkenetriols. And the slopes were steeper in the southern China than the northern China, indicating stronger ring-opening reactions there. The correlation analysis of SOAI tracers with the factor determining biogenic emission and the tracer of biomass burning (levoglucosan) implied that the high level of SOAI during summer was controlled by biogenic emission, while the unexpected increase of SOAI during winter was largely due to the elevated biomass burning emission. The estimated secondary organic carbon from isoprene (SOCI) exhibited the highest levels in Southwest China. The significant correlations of SOCI between paired sites implied the regional impact of SOAI in China. Our findings implicate that isoprene origins and SOAI formation are distinctive in polluted regions.
Portable Wideband Microwave Imaging System for Intracranial Hemorrhage Detection Using Improved Back-projection Algorithm with Model of Effective Head Permittivity
Authors: Mobashsher Ahmed Toaha , Mahmoud A. , Abbosh A. M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIntracranial hemorrhage is a medical emergency that requires rapid detection and medication to restrict any brain damage to minimal. Here, an effective wideband microwave head imaging system for on-the-spot detection of intracranial hemorrhage is presented. The operation of the system relies on the dielectric contrast between healthy brain tissues and a hemorrhage that causes a strong microwave scattering. The system uses a compact sensing antenna, which has an ultra-wideband operation with directional radiation and a portable, compact microwave transceiver for signal transmission and data acquisition. The collected data is processed to create a clear image of the brain using an improved back projection algorithm, which is based on a novel effective head permittivity model. The system is verified in realistic simulation and experimental environments using anatomically and electrically realistic human head phantoms. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons between the images from the proposed and existing algorithms demonstrate significant improvements in detection and localization accuracy. The radiation and thermal safety of the system are examined and verified. Initial human tests are conducted on healthy subjects with different head sizes. The reconstructed images are statistically analyzed and absence of false positive results indicate the efficacy of the proposed system in future preclinical trials.
Individual speckle diffraction based 1D and 2D Random Grating Fabrication for detector and solar energy harvesting applications
Authors: Bingi Jayachandra , Murukeshan Vadakke Matham 
Published: February 2016

AbstractLaser speckles and speckle patterns, which are formed by the random interference of scattered waves from optically rough surfaces, have found tremendous applications in a wide range of metrological and biomedical fields. Here, we demonstrate a novel edge diffraction phenomenon of individual speckle for the fabrication of 1D and 2D micron and sub-micron size random gratings. These random gratings exhibit broadband response with interesting diffusive diffraction patterns. As an immediate application for solar energy harvesting, significant reduction in transmission and enhanced absorption in thin “Si-random grating-Si” sandwich structure is demonstrated. This work has multifaceted significance where we exploited the individual speckle diffraction properties for the first time. Besides the solar harvesting applications, random gratings are suitable structures for fabrication of theoretically proposed random quantum well IR detectors and hence expected that this work will augur well for such studies in the near future.
Catenary nanostructures as compact Bessel beam generators
Authors: Li Xiong , Pu Mingbo , Zhao Zeyu , Ma Xiaoliang , Jin Jinjin , Wang Yanqin , Gao Ping , Luo Xiangang 
Published: February 2016

AbstractNon-diffracting Bessel beams, including zero-order and high-order Bessel Beams which carry orbital angular momentum (OAM), enable a variety of important applications in optical micromanipulation, sub-diffraction imaging, high speed photonics/quantum communication, etc. The commonly used ways to create Bessel beams, including an axicon or a digital hologram written to a spatial light modulator (SLM), have great challenges to operate at the nanoscale. Here we theoretically design and experimentally demonstrate one kind of planar Bessel beam generators based on metasurfaces with analytical structures perforated in ultra-thin metallic screens. Continuous phase modulation between 0 to 2π is realized with a single element. In addition, due to the dispersionless phase shift stemming from spin-orbit interaction, the proposed device can work in a wide wavelength range. The results may find applications in future optical communication, nanofabrication and super-resolution imaging, etc.
Estimation of overbound on ionospheric spatial decorrelation over low‐latitude region for ground‐based augmentation systems
Authors: Reddy Ammana Supraja , Achanta Sarma Dattatreya 
Published: February 2016

In ground‐based augmentation systems (GBAS), such as local area augmentation system (LAAS) of USA, variation of ionospheric delay between LAAS ground facility and the user leads to residual ionospheric error. Hence, the users need to compute the bounds on residual ionospheric error with the help of a parameter, σvertical_ionospheric_gradient (σvig). As σvig is a function of geographic region, the estimated value of σvig for mid‐latitude regions (4 mm/km) is not appropriate for low‐latitude regions where ionosphere is highly varying and is characterised by large spatial gradients. In this study, gradients are computed with processed total electron content data from 16 stations of global positioning system aided geo augmented navigation network and using the time‐step method. The distribution of gradients is compared with one‐sigma Gaussian distribution to obtain ‘inflation factor’. σvig overbound is computed for several days data comprising of quiet, moderate and storm conditions of ionosphere using the corresponding inflation factors. It is found that overbound values of 4.5 and 14.4 mm/km are required to bind the gradients under quiet and active conditions. These findings are useful for designing a safe and reliable GBAS for low‐latitude stations.
The Impact of Lectures (Given to Children from 9–11 Years) on the Recognition of Risk Situations for the Occurrence of Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Frandoloso Victor , Silva Felipe , Magnabosco Camilla 
Published: February 2016

Introduction It is believed that the prevention of head trauma (TBI) can be achieved with campaigns to raise awareness about safety measures.
Methods Longitudinal, observational and analytical cohort study. Standardized questionnaires were administered to students from 4th to 6th grade elementary school, before and immediately after the intervention. Items on habits//exposure to TCEs were analyzed categorically as theoretical knowledge were evaluated semi-continuously. A randomly selected subgroup was subjected to the same questionnaires past 9 months of educational lectures.
Results A total of 117 students (55 girls) were interviewed initially (4th [n ¼ 14/117], 5th [n ¼ 54/117] and 6th [n ¼ 49/117] series, average age of 9.8, 10, 7 and 11.8 years). Of these, 22 students were submitted to the late posttest (7th grade, 12.7 years on average). Among the participants, 37% (43/116) students had already suffered/knew someone who suffered TBI, 58% (18/31) were involved in traffic accidents and 42% (13/31) were involved in accidents with bicycle, skates or skateboard. Among these subjects, 90.3% reported occasional use or never having used protection during play. A significant discrepancy was detected between safety habits and theoretical knowledge related to helmet use and the use of seat belts (effective use versus hits on knowledge of respectively 37% versus 61%, and 70% versus 92%). In the theoretical evaluation, improvement was observed only with regard to the importance of helmet usage (61% in the pretest, 72% in the immediate posttest and 95% in the late posttest).
Conclusion The high rate of experience with TBI coupled with the significant discrepancy between habits and knowledge regarding trauma prevention stress the need for effective measures leading to their actual implementation. The intervention increased awareness about the importance of helmet usage, suggesting partial effectivity from a theoretical standpoint.
Color Tissue Doppler to Analyze Fetal Cardiac Time Intervals: Normal Values and Influence of Sample Gate Size
Authors: Willruth Arne , Steinhard Johannes , Enzensberger Christian , Axt-Fliedner Roland , Gembruch Ulrich , Doelle Astrid , Dimitriou Ioanna , Fimmers Rolf , Bahlmann Franz ,   on behalf of the Fetal Cardiac Imaging Research Group Germany
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Purpose To assess the time intervals of the cardiac cycle in healthy fetuses in the second and third trimester using color tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI) and to evaluate the influence of different sizes of sample gates on time interval values.
Materials and Methods Time intervals were measured from the cTDI-derived Doppler waveform using a small and large region of interest (ROI) in healthy fetuses.
Results 40 fetuses were included. The median gestational age at examination was 26 + 1 (range: 20 + 5 – 34 + 5) weeks. The median frame rate was 116/s (100 – 161/s) and the median heart rate 143 (range: 125 – 158) beats per minute (bpm). Using small and large ROIs, the second trimester right ventricular (RV) mean isovolumetric contraction times (ICTs) were 39.8 and 41.4 ms (p = 0.17), the mean ejection times (ETs) were 170.2 and 164.6 ms (p < 0.001), the mean isovolumetric relaxation times (IRTs) were 52.8 and 55.3 ms (p = 0.08), respectively. The left ventricular (LV) mean ICTs were 36.2 and 39.4 ms (p = 0.05), the mean ETs were 167.4 and 164.5 ms (p = 0.013), the mean IRTs were 53.9 and 57.1 ms (p = 0.05), respectively. The third trimester RV mean ICTs were 50.7 and 50.4 ms (p = 0.75), the mean ETs were 172.3 and 181.4 ms (p = 0.49), the mean IRTs were 50.2 and 54.6 ms (p = 0.03); the LV mean ICTs were 45.1 and 46.2 ms (p = 0.35), the mean ETs were 175.2 vs. 172.9 ms (p = 0.29), the mean IRTs were 47.1 and 50.0 ms (p = 0.01), respectively.
Conclusion Isovolumetric time intervals can be analyzed precisely and relatively independent of ROI size. In the near future, automatic time interval measurement using ultrasound systems will be feasible and the analysis of fetal myocardial function can become part of the clinical routine.